Michael Jackson visits Tokyo orphanage

Pop star also accepted ‘Legend Award’ in first stop on Asian visit

Shuji Kajiyama / AP

Michael Jackson hugs a child at an orphanage gymnasium in Tokyo on Sunday. Jackson visited an orphanage in one of the pop star's first public appearances since his acquittal last June on child molestation charges.

Celebrity video

Jon Bon Jovi: I believe in the power of 'we'
Nov. 9: Pop star Bon Jovi, featured in Monday’s Making a Difference segment on Nightly News, emphasizes his conviction in empowering people to work together to alleviate social ills.

Jon Bon Jovi: I believe in the power of 'we'

The buzz on Taylor Swift‘s ‘SNL’ gig

Sammy Sosa's new look

Gabby Sidibe on ‘Precious’

CSPAN now best reality TV?

Slideshow

Best and worst celebrity fashions of 2009
From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.

more photos

updated 6:46 p.m. ET May 28, 2006

TOKYO - Michael Jackson visited a Tokyo orphanage Sunday during his first round of public appearances since being acquitted of child molestation charges last year.

Jackson was in the capital to accept MTV Japan's "Legend Award" during an earlier ceremony at Yoyogi Olympic Stadium. There, he choked up as he thanked fans for their loyalty.

His visit to Japan is the first leg of an Asian swing that will include stops in Singapore; Shanghai, China; and Hong Kong.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

After weaving through dozens of screaming adult fans outside the downtown orphanage, Jackson was ushered into a gymnasium, where more than 160 children between the ages of 3 and 18 and nuns in gray uniforms waited.

"I love you," Jackson told the cheering crowd. Then he whispered to his translator, apparently asking how to say the phrase in Japanese. Then he said: "Aishiteru!"

The pop icon also was scheduled to tour Tokyo and meet with members of the Asian business community during his six-day visit, his publicists said.

Jackson's visit to Tokyo was announced only days before his Friday arrival.

Jackson, 47, has been living in the Middle Eastern kingdom of Bahrain since being acquitted of child molestation in California in June. He has said he plans to return to recording and hopes to release a new album in 2007.