| Birth Date: | 31 December 1914 |
| Birth Place: | Kanneljärvi, Finland |
| Death Date: | 18 November 1985 (aged 70) |
| Death Place: | Suoniemi, Finland |
| Height: | 1.82m (05.97feet) |
| Weight: | 77kg (170lb) |
| Sport: | Athletics |
| Club: | Pölläkkälän Ura |
| Pb: | 78.70 m (1938) |
| Show-Medals: | yes |
Jouko Yrjö Nikkanen (31 December 1914 – 18 November 1985) was a Finnish javelin thrower, who won a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics. His best throw of 70.77 meters was only one meter behind that of the gold medalist Gerhard Stöck, and just five centimeters ahead that of Kalervo Toivonen.
On 25 August 1938, Nikkanen set a world record at 77.87 meters; less than two months later, on 16 October 1938, he had improved his record to 78.70 m. Nikkanen's record was bettered only on 8 August 1953 by Bud Held.