Hamilton finished 12th after starting on pole, with Ferrari rival Felipe Massa battling to eighth in a wild Fuji race to close the gap on the Briton to six points with two races remaining.
In Image: Renault Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrates after winning the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway in Oyama, central Japan, October 12, 2008.
Text and Images: Reuters (Any unauthorised reproduction prohibited)