Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Zentsūji was established within Tado District, Kagawa with the creation of the modern municipalities system on December 16,1878.

From 1896 to 1945, the IJA 11th Infantry Division was headquartered in Zentsūji, which hosted the largest military base in Shikoku.

After the war, the former base site was converted into the location for the city hall and Shikoku Gakuin University, in addition to other public facilities.

However, the city still retains a strong connection to the military and is the location a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force brigade headquarters and garrison.

Zentsūji has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members.

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