A powerful ancient state existed in the Yame region, and it was the center of the Iwai Rebellion of 527 AD against the Yamato court.

Many traditional buildings from the Edo period to modern times remain along the streets, mainly lacquered houses.

After the Meiji restoration, the town of Fukushima was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

In 1943, during World War II, Fukushima was proposed as a site for relocating the capital of Japan.

Yame has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members.

Yame, collectively with the town of Hirokawa, contributes three members to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Fukuoka 7th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The city has two public high schools operated by the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education.