Escalation Disguised as Security: The True Cost of the U.S.–Japan Military Upgrade

This week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon has begun the first phase of upgrading U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) into a “warfighting” joint force headquarters, marking a significant escalation of the U.S. military posture in the Asia-Pacific. Framed as a response to regional threats, particularly from China, this move represents a deepening of military entrenchment—not only on Japanese soil but also within the broader Indo-Pacific region.

At the Peace Economy Project, we believe this upgrade is a step in the wrong direction. It intensifies the already fragile geopolitical climate, increases the risk of military conflict, and diverts critical resources away from the people and priorities that truly need them.

Militarization Is Not Peacekeeping

Let’s be clear: a warfighting headquarters is not a peacekeeping institution. The transformation of USFJ into a joint force headquarters—with added personnel, enhanced authority, and deeper integration with Japan’s own military command—is not just an administrative reorganization. It is an aggressive shift toward military readiness, with the stated goal of increasing deterrence and combat preparedness against China.

While officials argue this is about keeping the peace, history shows us that massive military buildups, especially in tense regions, more often lead to confrontation than diplomacy. Peace is not achieved through intimidation; it is achieved through mutual understanding, negotiation, and sustainable investment in diplomacy and social well-being.

Local Communities Bear the Burden

Though leaders on both sides pledge to minimize impact on local communities, the reality is starkly different. In Okinawa and across Japan’s southwest region, residents have long voiced opposition to the U.S. military presence—citing environmental degradation, safety incidents, cultural disruption, and noise pollution. Now, with expanded drills, more advanced missile systems, and greater U.S.-Japan joint military activity, these burdens will only grow heavier.

Military expansion always comes with a cost—not only financially, but socially and psychologically for the communities forced to host these war machines.

Dollars for Weapons, Not for People

The move also underscores a dangerous trend in U.S. policy: prioritizing defense contractors and weapons manufacturers over human needs. The upgrade comes at a time when the Pentagon is under pressure to reduce spending. Yet, instead of cutting costly projects that entrench us in forever wars and geopolitical brinkmanship, it is doubling down on force projection in East Asia.

Meanwhile, in both the U.S. and Japan, people continue to suffer from underfunded health care systems, unaffordable housing, and growing inequality. Redirecting even a fraction of the billions allocated to military expansion toward education, climate resilience, or affordable housing would produce tangible, long-term security.

The U.S.-Japan Alliance Must Evolve—Toward Peace

The U.S.-Japan alliance does not have to mean military escalation. It can be an alliance for peace, climate cooperation, disaster preparedness, and nuclear disarmament. If the goal is truly regional stability, then building a coalition of peacebuilders and climate responders—not combat-ready troops—should be our priority.

Secretary Hegseth’s remarks about “peace through strength” echo outdated Cold War logic. But today’s most pressing threats—climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality—cannot be bombed into submission. They require international collaboration, not confrontation.

A Call for Demilitarization and Redirection

At Peace Economy Project, we advocate for a shift from a war economy to a peace economy—one where government resources are invested in building resilient, equitable societies instead of preparing for the next war. We call on Congress to demand transparency and accountability for this expansion. We call on leaders in both Washington and Tokyo to listen to the people most impacted by these decisions.

And we call on everyday people—activists, students, veterans, and policymakers—to imagine a different future: one where our alliances are not built on missile systems and joint war games, but on diplomacy, justice, and the collective well-being of all people in the Pacific and beyond.

It’s time to stop fueling conflict and start funding peace.

Sign our Change.org petition now!

To learn more about our work to redirect military spending and promote peace-driven policies, visit peaceeconomyproject.org.