OMEN
03-09-2007, 01:19 PM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42657000/jpg/_42657775_jackson_ap203b.jpg
Jackson met Japanese children who were invited to the party
Singer Michael Jackson has greeted fans in Japan who paid up to $3,500 (£1,800) for a brief meeting with their idol.
The 48-year-old arrived late for the event in Tokyo, did not perform and sat away from fans during a musical show.
Carlo Riley, who flew from the US to meet the star, told the Reuters news agency: "I'll pay it again".
Jackson visited Japan after being cleared of child molestation charges in 2005, calling it "one of my favourite places in the entire world".
'Very gentle'
At the "platinum VIP party", which reportedly made $1 million (£518,000) from ticket sales, the musician briefly posed for photographs with each of his fans.
Fans who were unable to find the cost of a ticket waited outside the venue to catch a glimpse of the star.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42657000/jpg/_42657779_jacksonfan_ap203b.jpg
Jackson impersonator Carlo Riley travelled from the US for the event
"I couldn't buy a ticket because of the price, but I don't think it's too expensive. It's just that I'm a student and can't afford it now," a Japanese fan told the AFP news agency.
"He was giving out hugs and handshakes and was very gentle with me. It was very nice," said party guest Sumi Yoshimi.
"He looked really cool seeing him up this close. It was worth 400,000 yen," she added.
Jackson has not performed on stage since the World Music Awards in London last November.
He disappointed some fans by singing only a few lines of We Are The World, when it was believed he would perform a version of his hit Thriller.
BBC
Jackson met Japanese children who were invited to the party
Singer Michael Jackson has greeted fans in Japan who paid up to $3,500 (£1,800) for a brief meeting with their idol.
The 48-year-old arrived late for the event in Tokyo, did not perform and sat away from fans during a musical show.
Carlo Riley, who flew from the US to meet the star, told the Reuters news agency: "I'll pay it again".
Jackson visited Japan after being cleared of child molestation charges in 2005, calling it "one of my favourite places in the entire world".
'Very gentle'
At the "platinum VIP party", which reportedly made $1 million (£518,000) from ticket sales, the musician briefly posed for photographs with each of his fans.
Fans who were unable to find the cost of a ticket waited outside the venue to catch a glimpse of the star.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42657000/jpg/_42657779_jacksonfan_ap203b.jpg
Jackson impersonator Carlo Riley travelled from the US for the event
"I couldn't buy a ticket because of the price, but I don't think it's too expensive. It's just that I'm a student and can't afford it now," a Japanese fan told the AFP news agency.
"He was giving out hugs and handshakes and was very gentle with me. It was very nice," said party guest Sumi Yoshimi.
"He looked really cool seeing him up this close. It was worth 400,000 yen," she added.
Jackson has not performed on stage since the World Music Awards in London last November.
He disappointed some fans by singing only a few lines of We Are The World, when it was believed he would perform a version of his hit Thriller.
BBC