The 1996 Formula Nippon Championship was the first season under the name Formula Nippon; before 1996, the category was named Japanese Formula 3000. This season was contested over 10 rounds. Fifteen different teams, 28 different drivers, three different chassis and three different engines competed. Ralf Schumacher won the championship, winning three races.
This was the final season for six-time Top Formula Champion Kazuyoshi Hoshino, who announced his retirement from the series prior to the start of the 1997 season.
| Race No | Track | Country | Date | Laps | Distance | Time | Speed | Winner | Pole Position | Fastest Race Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuka |  Japan | 28 April 1996 | 34 | 5.864=199.376 km | 1'01:47.773 | 193.581 km/h | Kazuyoshi Hoshino | Toranosuke Takagi | Michael Krumm |
| 2 | Mine | Japan | 12 May 1996 | 62 | 3.239=200.818 km | 1'22:15.253 | 146.486 km/h | Ralf Schumacher | Michael Krumm | Norberto Fontana |
| 3 | Fuji | Japan | 26 May 1996 | 45 | 4.470=201.150 km | 1'03:40.066 | 189.562 km/h | Norberto Fontana | Ralf Schumacher | Norberto Fontana |
| 4 | Tokachi | Japan | 23 June 1996 | 38 | 5.100=193.800 km | 1'09:32.702 | 167.201 km/h | Ralf Schumacher | Toranosuke Takagi | Michael Krumm |
| 5 | Suzuka | Japan | 7 July 1996 | 35 | 5.864=205.241 km | 1'03:28.642 | 193.998 km/h | Toranosuke Takagi | Toranosuke Takagi | Shinji Nakano |
| 6 | Sugo | Japan | 4 August 1996 | 54 | 3.704=200.016 km | 1'05:18.450 | 183.761 km/h | Toranosuke Takagi | Toranosuke Takagi | Toranosuke Takagi |
| 7 | Fuji | Japan | 1 September 1996 | 45 | 4.470=201.150 km | 0'59:22.324 | 203.277 km/h | Naoki Hattori | Naoki Hattori | Norberto Fontana |
| 8 | Mine | Japan | 15 September 1996 | 62 | 3.239=200.818 km | 1'19:35.895 | 151.374 km/h | Ralf Schumacher | Toshio Suzuki | Katsutomo Kaneishi |
| 9 | Suzuka | Japan | 29 September 1996 | 35 | 5.864=205.241 km | 1'02:50.115 | 195.980 km/h | Naoki Hattori | Ralf Schumacher | Shinji Nakano |
| 10 | Fuji | Japan | 20 October 1996 | 45 | 4.470=201.15 km | 1'13:56.568 | 163.221 km/h | Katsutomo Kaneishi | Kazuyoshi Hoshino | Shinji Nakano |
For every race points were awarded: 10 points to the winner, 6 for runner-up, 4 for third place, 3 for fourth place, 2 for fifth place and 1 for sixth place. No additional points were awarded. No driver had a point deduction.
|
Bold – Pole |
|
Bold – Pole |
| first column of every race | 10 | = grid position |
| second column of every race | 10 | = race result |
R=retired NC=not classified NS=did not start NQ=did not qualify
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