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The relationship between dietary <i>n</i>-6 fatty acids and hypertension is not clear. The metabolic products of <i>n</i>-6 fatty acids include those that control blood pressure, such as prostaglandin and thromboxane, and that differ depending on the extent of glucose tolerance. This cross-sectional study investigated the association of dietary <i>n</i>-6 fatty acid intake on hypertension, and the effects of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value in 633 Japanese subjects aged 40 years and older. Dietary intake was measured using a validated brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. We defined hypertension as the use of antihypertensive medication or a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg. The prevalence of hypertension was 55.3%. A high <i>n</i>-6 fatty acids intake inversely correlated with hypertension in subjects with HbA1c values less than 6.5% (odds ratio, 0.857; 95% confidence interval, 0.744 to 0.987). On the contrary, in subjects with an HbA1c value of 6.5% or higher, the <i>n</i>-6 fatty acids intake was significantly associated with hypertension (odds ratio, 3.618; 95% confidence interval, 1.019 to 12.84). Regular dietary <i>n</i>-6 fatty acid intake may contribute to the prevention and treatment of hypertension in a healthy general population. By contrast, in subjects with diabetes, regular <i>n</i>-6 fatty acids intake may increase the risk of hypertension.