1. Msgr. Patrick Byrne, M.M. 1937-1940
2. Most Rev. Paul Yoshiyuki Furuya 1940-1976
3. Most Rev. Raymond Ken’ichi Tanaka 1976-1997

The Apostolic Prefecture of Kyoto was established on June 17, 1937 from the four prefectures of Kyoto, Mie, Shiga and Nara, which had belonged to the Diocese of Osaka. It was entrusted to the Maryknoll Fathers. The first Apostolic Prefect was Msgr. Patrick Byrne, M.M. With his resignation in 1940, Fr. Yoshiyuki Furuya became Apostolic Prefect.
On July 12, 1951, the Apostolic Prefecture was raised to the status of a diocese, and Msgr. Furuya was consecrated the first Bishop of Kyoto on September 21 of the same year. With the resignation of Bishop Furuya, Fr. Ken’ichi Tanaka was appointed Bishop of Kyoto on July 8, 1976, and was consecrated on September 23 of the same year. Bishop Tanaka resigned for health reasons as of March 3, 1997, and Fr. Yoshinao Otsuka was appointed his successor. He was consecrated bishop on June 15 of the same year and continues to serve as Bishop of Kyoto.