Fans got the chance to meet Michael Jackson in Tokyo on Thursday -- but
only those who could afford to pay 400,000 yen (1,770 pounds) for the
privilege.
Fans of the "King of Pop" screamed as he arrived by van
at the venue in the Japanese capital for the event, at which he had
promised to chat and take pictures with up to 300 guests, but not to sing
or dance.
They were not put off by the price.
"I would pay 10 times that amount any time anywhere," said Carlo Riley,
a Jackson fan with long black hair and a black surgical mask, who danced
as he waited in line.
Riley said he flew from the United States especially to meet Jackson
face-to-face. "If they do it again, I'll pay it again -- easily," he
added.
Since being acquitted of child
molestation charges at a trial that ended in June 2005,
Jackson has mostly kept a low profile, spending time in Bahrain and
Ireland.
He last visited Japan, where he has a huge fan base, in May to accept a
music award. Since arriving at the weekend, he has been mobbed by fans during a shopping trip and a
visit to Disneyland.
In November, Jackson sang at an awards ceremony in London, his first
public performance since the trial.