Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Mannen (万年村) within Kusu District, Ōita was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

On March 1,1955 Kusu annexed the neighboring town of Mori and the villages of Kitayamada, and Yahata.

Kusu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members.

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

JR Kyushu - Kyūdai Main Line This Ōita Prefecture location article is a stub.