1972 Okinawa gubernatorial election

← 1968 25 June 1972 1976 →
Turnout	76.32 12.79[1]
Nominee Chōbyō Yara Seisaku Ota Popular vote 251,230 177,780 Percentage 58.56% 41.44%
Governor before election Chōbyō Yara OSMP Elected Governor Chōbyō Yara OSMP

A gubernatorial election was held on 25 June 1972 to elect the Governor of Okinawa (沖縄県, Okinawa-ken), the prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan.

This is the first election since the return of the prefecture to Japanese control. Previously the island was administered by the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands.

Candidates

• Chōbyō Yara, 69, incumbent since 1968, endorsed by the union of the left (Progress and Unity), including the OSMP, JSP and JCP.
• Seisaku Ota, 68, backed by LDP.

Results

Okinawa gubernatorial 1972

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Okinawa Social Mass	Chōbyō Yara *	251,230	58.56	5.05
	Liberal Democratic	Seisaku Ota	177,780	41.44	4.99
Total valid votes			429,010
Turnout				76.32	12.79
Registered electors
	Okinawa Social Mass hold		Swing	17.12