The continuity and efficiency of work management of the ridgeways between rice fields have become major issues in Japan. Labor for managing the ridgeways is in short supply, making it necessary to simplify processes, and improve efficiency. Additionally, ridgeways are essential for preserving rural areas and maintaining the landscape; the labor shortage creates problems of maintenance of the area. This study investigated the process of establishing organizations to undertake the management of ridgeways in villages. Consequently, the following three key aspects were identified: 1) Smooth communication between stakeholders, 2) setting of acceptable costs, and 3) improvement of the operation through gradual structuring. Additionally, we found that it was possible to acquire new stakeholders such as non-farmers in the village, thereby making it possible to employ people for maintaining the ridgeways by creating an organization.
