To reduce loss by eddy current in an armature and to improve efficiency for opening/closing a switch.

An electromagnetic actuator includes: a yoke 1 for forming a magnetic path; the armature 2 moving in the yoke 1; a closed coil 3 and an opened coil 4 for increasing/decreasing a magnetic flux of the yoke 1; a permanent magnet 5 for attracting the armature 2; and an operating rod 6 made of a non-magnetic material fixed to the armature 2 and passing through one side face of the yoke 1. The armature 2 is divided into a plurality of pieces so that a plurality of magnetic circuits are formed in the armature 2 when the closed coil 3 and the opened coil 4 are excited.