US, Japan launch joint military exercise for better preparedness

Pentagon, January 13: Though North Korea has started making diplomatic efforts, it has already warned it has a nuclear button on the desk. Amid this situation, American and Japanese military forces have launched joint exercises which started on Friday in the U.S. western state of California and will continue through February 12.

On the onset of this year, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un got involved in a verbal fight regarding hose “nuclear button” is bigger. Later, Trump tried to ease the tension by saying that he’s open to talking to Kim. On the other hand, Kim agreed to send a North Korean delegation to winter Olympics.

Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise, held in Southern California, between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. The exercise is designed to improve USMC and JGSDF's ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels.

Recently, US postponed its scheduled exercise with South Korea due to Winter Olympics which would resume after Paralympics. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called the delay a "practical matter".