Trulli had a 14th in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
BAR-Honda -- led by Jenson Button's third in the individual standings -- and Renault are battling for second spot in the team standings, with BAR ahead by nine points.
Jacques Villeneuve, who replaced Trulli at Renault, said the conditions were terrible.
"The car was aquaplaning a lot, which meant it was actually floating on the track surface and the driver had no control," Villeneuve said.
Ironically, rain affected last year's qualifying in Japan.
Barrichello set a fastest lap of 1:31.7. Within 10 minutes a sudden shower came and wet the track, and Schumacher had the 14th fastest time, almost ruining his title chances.
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