It took place on the weekend of 25–27 March 1988 at the Suzuka Circuit.

Schwantz took the inside of the hairpin, but Rainey dove back under and got him back on the exit; Schwantz succeeded in taking the lead on Spoon.

At the end of the 1st lap, it was Schwantz and Gardner, then a gap to Toshihiko Honma (riding #46) and Sarron.

Eddie Lawson and Niall Mackenzie moved through the field to 3rd and 4th.

On the last lap Gardner ran off the track and stayed on, but lost any chance of winning the race.