A variable stator blade operating device is a variable stator blade operating device that manipulates the mounting angle of a stator blade of an axial compressor. The variable stator blade operating device includes: an arm which is connected to the stator blade; a rotating ring which is connected to one end of the arm and is externally fitted to a casing of the compressor with an interval between the rotating ring and an outer wall of the casing; a drive mechanism which turns the stator blade via the arm by rotating the rotating ring; and a plurality of elastic bodies arranged in the circumferential direction around the casing, between the rotating ring and the outer wall of the casing. Each of the plurality of elastic bodies is mounted to one of the rotating ring and the outer wall of the casing and contacts the other to energize the rotating ring radially outward.