1. Msgr. ROY, Egide O.F.M. 1927-1936 (Prefect Apostolic)
2. Most Rev. YAMAGUCHI, Paul Aijiro 1937-1940 (Administrator Apostolic)
3. Msgr. IDEGUCHI, Francis Ichitaro 1940-1955 (Prefect Apostolic)
4. Most Rev. SATOWAKI, Joseph Asajiro 1955-1969
5. Most Rev. ITONAGA, Paul Shinichi 1970-2005

The Prefecture Apostolic of Kagoshima was established on March 18, 1927 when the two prefectures of Kagoshima and Okinawa were separated from the Nagasaki Diocese and entrusted to Canadian Franciscans. The first Administrator Apostolic was Monsignor Egide Roy, O.F.M. Upon his resignation in 1936, Father Yamaguchi Aijiro was appointed as his successor, and from the following year he was concomitantly Bishop of Nagasaki. In 1940 Father Ideguchi Ichitaro was appointed Prefect Apostolic.

After World War II, Okinawa and the Southwest Islands came under American military occupation and were entrusted to American Capuchin Friars. Afterwards, when the Southwest Islands (Amami-Oshima Region) were returned to Japan, they were reunited to the Prefecture Apostolic of Kagoshima.

On February 25, 1955, the Prefecture Apostolic of Kagoshima was elevated to the status of a diocese, and Monsignor Satowaki Asajiro was appointed the first Bishop of Kagoshima. He was consecrated on May 3, 1955.

On December 19, 1968 Bishop Satowaki was appointed Archbishop of Nagasaki and on November 15, 1969 Father Itonaga Shin'ichi was appointed his successor in Kagoshima. He was consecrated Bishop on January 18, 1970 and took office as Bishop of Kagoshima.

Father Kohriyama Kenjiro was appointed the successor of Bishop Itonaga on December 3, 2005 and consecrated Bishop of Kagoshima on January 29, 2006.