[2] Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Kuji peaked around the year 1960 and has declined by roughly one-third since then.

In the early Meiji period, the town of Kuji was created within Kita-Kunohe District on April 1, 1889, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

The modern city was founded on November 3, 1954, with the merger of the towns of Kuji and Osanai with the villages of Samuraihama, Yamane, Natsui, Ube, and Okawame.

Kuji has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 24 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Iwate 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Ama dive without breathing aids to depths reaching 10 meters, procuring shellfish, seaweed, and pearls.

Kokujiyaki (小久慈焼), also known as Kuji-yaki is a style of ceramic pottery unique to the Kokuji district of Kuji with a 200-year history.

Kuji is on the northern reaches of the Sanriku Coastline, and Kosode Coast (小袖海岸) is a portion which is especially noted for its dramatic rock formations and views.

[13] Partnership between Kuji and Klaipėda began in 1989, one year before the independence of Lithuania, hence becoming the first Lithuanian sister city in Japan.

The 1995 World Municipalities Congress in The Hague recognised Klaipėda's and Kuji's cities cooperation as an example to follow.