TOKYO – Michael Jackson made his first public appearance since being acquitted on child molestation charges, choking up as he thanked Japanese fans at an award ceremony Saturday.
“I’m honored to be in Japan again, and I’m very happy to be among the Japanese people, because I love them very much,” Jackson said in a brief appearance at MTV Japan’s “Legend Award” ceremony at Yoyogi Olympic Stadium. “Thank you for your loyalty.”
The pop star was to visit orphanages, tour Tokyo and meet with businessmen during his trip to Japan, said Broderick Morris, chief executive of Positive Productions Yokohama, an entertainment promotions company.
Jackson arrived Friday night with his three children and will stay through Wednesday on the first leg of a swing through Asia that will include stops in Singapore, Shanghai, China and Hong Kong.
“I’d like to say to the Japanese people from the bottom of my heart, I love you very much,” said Jackson, wearing a fitted tuxedo with a short jacket.
Responding to his fans screaming “I love you!” Jackson replied: “I love you more.”
He flashed a victory sign to the crowd.
“This is like his comeback party,” Morris said before the event. “He’s in good spirits, and he loves it here.
“There has been a lot of bad press, but Japanese fans still love him. It’s like a second home for him.”
Jackson, 47, has been living in the Middle Eastern kingdom of Bahrain since his June acquittal on child molestation charges in California.
He has said he plans to return to recording and hopes to release a new album in 2007.
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