1968 Okinawa gubernatorial election
# 1968 Okinawa gubernatorial election

A gubernatorial election was held on 10 November 1968 to elect the first Governor of Okinawa (山口県, Okinawa-ken), 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.

## Results

Okinawa gubernatorial 1968 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Okinawa Social Mass | Chōbyō Yara | 237,643 | 53.51 |
| | Liberal Democratic | Junji Nishime | 206,209 | 46.43 |
| | Kariyushi Club | Takehiko Noka | 279 | 0.06 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 444,131 | 96.73 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 459,136 | 89.11 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 515,246 | |
