Yoichi Ui was fastest in the first practice session of the 2001 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, on Friday morning Japan time.

Top times follow:

1. Yoichi Ui Derbi 2:16.281
2. Hideyuki Nakajoh Honda 2:16.873
3. Masao Azuma Honda 2:17.468
4. Noboru Ueda TSR Honda 2:17.546
5. Hiroyuki Kikuchi Honda 2:17.951
6. Mirko Giansanti Honda 2:18.139
7. Gino Borsoi Aprilia 2:18.284
8. Lucio Cecchinello Aprilia 2:18.365
9. Antonio Elias Honda 2:18.754
10. Simone Sanna Aprilia 2:18.926