During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tosa Domain ruled by the Yamauchi clan from their seat at Kōchi Castle.

The plan was met with resistance from the town council, the governors of both and Kōchi and Tokushima Prefecture, as well as outrage by local residents.

[3][4] Tōyō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of nine members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Kōchi 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

In addition to the commercial fishery industry, Tōyō's economy is centered on forestry and fruit tree cultivation.