JAPAN: Michael Jackson visits Disneyland in Tokyo

Record ID: 462731

  • Title: JAPAN: Michael Jackson visits Disneyland in Tokyo
  • Date: 16th March 2007
  • Summary: VAN LEAVING THE HOTEL CHIBA, JAPAN (MARCH 7, 2007) (REUTERS) WIDE OF TOKYO DISNEYLAND FANS AND MEDIA GATHERING AROUND IT'S A SMALL WORLD PAVILION
  • Embargoed: 31st March 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA13KDRSQKINO0YPYMC4KZ39NRN
  • Story Text: In the evening on Wednesday the black van with pop star drove out of the hotel in Tokyo where about 50 fans and photographers patiently had waited to get a glimpse of his appearance throughout the day.
    At the hotel, some devotees had kept calling his name and sung his hit tunes like "Heal the world" since he was in Japan on Monday.
    Though he visited his favourite theme park where he frequently visited whenever in Japan, during regular business hour, he could enjoy almost private for the park allowed him to use employee-only underground passage to move from pavilion to pavilion.
    He made a brief appearance in front of "It's a small world" pavilion and waved to fans waiting outside.
    "When I say I love you, then he blew a kiss to me and flashed a victory sign like this. He was so cool," said 28-year-old fan Taemi Matsuda, one of the lucky fans.
    Jackson will attend an exclusive Tokyo event this week and organisers are charging $3,400 (USD) for tickets even though he won't sing.
    Jackson, who arrived in Tokyo on Sunday (March 4), is due to take part in the "Premium VIP Party" on March 8, which an Internet advertisement said would include dancers and gospel singers.
    Jackson himself will not perform, but will watch the show from a special area. He will make some brief remarks.
    The event was supposed to take place on Dec. 19 and was billed as a Christmas party with Jackson. There was no reason given from the postponement.
    Jackson last visited Japan, where he has a huge fan base, in May to accept a music award. In November, Jackson sang at an awards ceremony in London, his first public performance since his child molestation trial ended, but his efforts were panned by critics.
    Since being acquitted of child molestation charges at a trial that ended in June 2005, Jackson has lived the life of a recluse, dividing his time between Bahrain and Ireland, but still generates hysteria among loyal fans wherever he goes.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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