[6] Hitoyoshi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kumamoto 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Important sectors of the local economy include tourism, agriculture, and sake brewing.

This shōchū must be produced in these areas from Japanese rice and with water from the Kuma River, which runs through the town.

[7] The most popular brand is Hakutake Shiro, which currently holds 50% market share on all rice shōchū sold in Japan.