U.S., Japan Begin Massive Joint Military Drill

Part where they landed on islands removed so as not to piss off China amid dispute

TOKYO — The militaries of the United States and Japan began an enormous joint drill on Monday, though leaving out a key part of the exercise that might have angered China.

Japan's Defense Ministry said 37,000 Japanese and 10,000 American military personnel would be taking part in the 12-day drill, which involves United States Navy ships transporting Japanese troops. The top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, said the drill, near Okinawa, was not aimed at a specific country.