Abstract
This study aimed to discuss the effect of collaboration between officers of local governments and citizens on the recognition and behaviour of the officers. Collaboration in the Yatsugatake Nanroku Scenic Byway was used as a case study. This collaborative activity has been promoting landscape conservation since 2006 in the northern area of Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. The partnership consists of several organizations of the citizen sector and three organizations of the governmental sector, namely, the national government, Yamanashi Prefecture, and Hokuto City. Three administrative officers from the prefecture and the city involved in the partnership were interviewed. According to the qualitative analysis of the narratives in the interviews, the process of the change in their recognition and behaviour proceeded as follows: (1) resolution of confrontational recognition regarding the partnership, (2) recognition of the benefits of the partnership, (3) positive contribution to the collaboration, and (4) application of information obtained through collaboration to governmental projects. The process showed a positive feedback loop in which positive evaluation of the experience in the collaboration reinforced the officers' motivation to participate. The elements in their positive evaluation included (1) sympathy for the citizens' view, (2) evaluation of the citizens' knowledge and experience, and (3) esteem for the citizens' voluntary attitudes. From the analysis, this study concluded that established and continuous collaboration with eager and knowledgeable citizens affected the recognition and behaviour of the of-ficers, which led to the reinforcement of the partnership and development of collaborative landscape conservation.
