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Abstract  When examining the issues related to the theories on modernization of Japan up until now, we can distinguish three extremely important trends of thought. I would like to refer to those three trends as the "Post War Theories" (P.T.), the "American Theories" (A.T.), and the "Beyond Western Theories" (B.T.). "P.T." emphasize the importance of modernization as democratization, meanwhile the "A.T." emphasize the importance of modernization as industrialization. In the "B.T.", post‐modern debate is included. In the context of Japan, modernization should be defined as a process which has two equally important elements: democratization and industrialization. It is a process that originated in the West, but was accepted by non Western countries mixing with their own traditions transforming and organizing the "World System". Theoretical reconsideration on the subject of "acceptance" has crucial importance in this case. We need also to start from the pre‐modern period as the initial condition for modernization. Concerning the Japanese pre‐modern era, we need to analyze the "Ie" (household) system as a social structure, and worldly attitudes as a spiritual or value structure, and finally the bureaucratic system as the intermediate element of the above two structures. Edo (pre‐modern) society was a compound of "Ie" and a bureaucratic system. Because the bureaucratic structure functioned by the very law of the period. the bushi warriors were expected to promote their abilities in judicature, administration, policy planning and decisions, and then they tended to become like modern bureaucrats in their characters. Peasant society also had a similar system as mentioned above. Japan's "Ie" existed as a certain social unit called "Ie‐Kabu". From that, Japanese "Ie" came to have a structure where families were bound within public control apparatus instruments. Thus the control mechanisms of the government effectively functioned down to the common people's level through this apparatus.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on education for sustainable development (ESD) Hyogo‐Kobe, and the contribution of Kobe University as a model case. An attempt to develop and implement a new ESD programme in higher education is also reported.Design/methodology/approachA brief description of RCE Hyogo‐Kobe, which was approved in 2007, is followed by the description of the contribution of Kobe University to the RCE's starting phase to date and in the near future. The initiative of establishing the RCE as well as the design and implementation of the ESD programme developed through the collaboration of three faculties: the Faculty of Human Development, the Faculty of Letters, and the Faculty of Economics. The programme focuses on students carrying out participatory action research enabled by collaboration with regional stakeholders on ESD and SD.FindingsInterdisciplinary collaboration was found to be essential in creating an innovative education programme in higher education. Activities and projects on ESD that existed earlier played important roles in the initiative, in formation of the network, and in directing RCE activities.Originality/valueInformation from the case study will be useful in the establishment and development of an RCE through the initiative of an institute of higher education.