[b]Michael Jackson to arrive in Japan for ‘fan appreciation’ events[/b] The Associated Press Published: March 4, 2007 TOKYO: Michael Jackson was set to arrive in Japan on Sunday where fans paying US$3,500 a ticket can spend 30 seconds with the pop icon as he makes his second visit to Tokyo in recent years, an organizer said. Jackson made his first official foray back into the spotlight after his acquittal on child molestation charges in June 2005 with an appearance in Tokyo to accept MTV Japan’s “Legend Award” last year. A fan art contest will also be held for Japanese who cannot afford VIP tickets, organizer Broderick Morris said in an e-mail. “Over the years, as Michael Jackson has performed in cities around the world, he has been pleased, honored, and impressed by the large amount of fan art of him,” said Morris. “He would like to meet fan artists, and more fully appreciate and enjoy their creative expressions.” Three winning artists chosen by Jackson will have brunch with the star and their picture taken together. Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, has lived abroad since his acquittal, forsaking his Neverland Ranch in California for residences in Bahrain, France, and a castle in Ireland. He told The Associated Press in January he was back in the United States, where he was widely reported to be pursuing business deals in Las Vegas. “I love Japan,” he said at the time. “It is one of my favorite places in the entire world.” Jackson’s VIP meet-and-greet party was scheduled for Thursday, with the fan art contest on Friday. It was not clear when Jackson would leave Japan. Jackson, 48, is not obligated to perform at either event, and promoters refused to comment on how much he would be paid. Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/04/arts/AS-A-E-CEL-Michael-Jackson.php
Michael Jackson to arrive in Japan for ‘fan appreciation’ events
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