A gubernatorial election was held on 14 November 1986 to elect the Governor of Okinawa (山口県, Okinawa-ken), who is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan.

• Junji Nishime, 65, incumbent since 1978, former Representative of the LDP, also backed by the DSP.
• Mutsumi Kinjo, endorsed by the union of the left (Progress and Unity), including the OSMP, JSP and JCP.

Okinawa gubernatorial 1986

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	LDP	Junji Nishime *	321,936	56.02	4.88
	Okinawa Social Mass	Mutsumi Kinjo	252,744	43.98	4.88
Total valid votes			574,680
Turnout				74.11	7.61
Registered electors
	LDP hold		Swing	12.04