Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was quickest in FP4 at Motegi, ahead of a last minute lap from Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar) to take P2 from reigning Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). Lorenzo suffered a bad highside in FP3 and was taken to hospital for a CT scan, before being declared fit and getting straight back up the timesheets.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) led the Italian charge in P4, with compatriot Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completing the top 5. Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Hector Barbera (Ducati Team), Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completed the top ten – with every manufacturer represented.
