Yoshimune executed the Kyoho Reforms, one of the three major reforms during the Edo period, by the stabilization of the bakufu's financial revenue by means of a fixed tax rate and agemai (tribute rice) system, the development of new fields, the reform of bureaucratic systems including the tashidaka system (a wage system established by the Edo bakufu), the appointment of Tadasuke OOKA as a part of the reforms, improvement in the administration of justice by establishing the Kujikata Osadamegaki to accelerate judicial hearings, the establishment of measures against fires by installing Edo firefighters, and reforms to the bakufu's worsening finances.
定免法や上米の制による幕府財政収入の安定化、新田開発の推進、足高の制の制定等の官僚制度改革、そしてその一環ともいえる大岡忠相の登用、また訴訟のスピードアップのため公事方御定書を制定しての司法制度改革、江戸町火消しを設置しての火事対策、悪化した幕府財政の立て直しなどの改革を図り、江戸三大改革のひとつである享保の改革を行った。