1968 Okinawa gubernatorial election

A gubernatorial election was held on 10 November 1968 to elect the first Governor of Okinawa (山口県), the prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan.

At that time, the islands were administered by the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands.

Candidates

 * Chōbyō Yara, 65, endorsed by OSMP, JSP, JCP. He wanted a direct return of the island within Japan, and the rapid evacuation of US military bases.
 * Junji Nishime, 47, backed by LDP. He wanted a negotiated and gradual return to Japan, and the maintenance of military bases.
 * Takehiko Noka, 40, for the Ryukyu independence movement. He did not want a return to the empire of Japan, but an independent republic, without US bases.