The town of Batō was created within Nasu District, Tochigi on May 29, 1891, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

Nakagawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 13 members.

Nakagawa, together with the city of Nasukarasuyama collectively contributes one member to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tochigi 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The town has one public high school operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education.