1997 Japan Open Tennis Championships – Men's singles

Pete Sampras was the defending champion, but did not participate.

Richard Krajicek won the title, defeating Lionel Roux 6–2, 3–6, 6–1 in the final.

Seeds
The top eight seeds received a bye into the second round. • # Richard Krajicek (champion)

• # 🇩🇪 Boris Becker (third round)

• # Marc Rosset (third round)

• # 🇦🇺 Todd Woodbridge (quarterfinals)

• # 🇸🇪 Thomas Johansson (semifinals)

• # 🇦🇺 Patrick Rafter (semifinals)

• # 🇨🇿 Martin Damm (quarterfinals)

• # 🇩🇪 David Prinosil (quarterfinals)

• # 🇨🇿 Daniel Vacek (first round)

• # 🇺🇸 Jonathan Stark (third round)

• # 🇩🇪 Alex Rădulescu (first round)

• # 🇸🇪 Mikael Tillström (second round)

• # 🇦🇺 Mark Woodforde (quarterfinals)

• # 🇺🇸 Jeff Tarango (third round)

• # 🇸🇪 Magnus Norman (third round)

• # 🇫🇷 Lionel Roux (final)