A charging device includes a corona charger for electrically charging a photosensitive member; a shutter, having first surfaces at which the shutter opposes the corona charger and having second surfaces at which the shutter opposes the photosensitive member, for covering and uncovering an opening of the corona charger with respect to a longitudinal direction of the opening; and a retracting device for retracting the shutter when the opening is uncovered. The retracting device retracts the shutter in a state in which the first surfaces contact each other so that the first surfaces and the second surfaces do not contact each other.