RECLUSIVE former pop icon Michael Jackson will be the star attraction of a Christmas party in Japan where tickets will cost up to $US3400 each, organisers said. Jackson, who has been lying low since his acquittal on child molestation charges last year, is not scheduled to sing but will join fans listening to his recorded music and watching performers including gospel singers. The December 19 party for up to 1600 fans is marketed as a "25th anniversary" bash for Jackson’s Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, which in fact was released 24 years ago in December 1982. "I look forward to visiting Japan again, and greeting my fans and friends," the erstwhile "King of Pop" said in a brief statement. Jackson, 48, is reported to be suffering serious financial problems since his sensational trial. After being acquitted, he fled the United States for seclusion in the Arab kingdom of Bahrain. Jackson visited Tokyo in May in his first public outing since his trial to receive a "Legends Award" at MTV Japan’s Video Music Awards. He also toured an orphanage. A total of 1600 tickets will be on sale for the Christmas party. Buyers of the 200 "platinum tickets," each priced at 400,000 yen ($US3400), will have a "meet and greet" with Jackson before the show, said promoter Misaki Hayashi. The remaining tickets cost 200,000 yen each, said Hayashi, who expected the event to be sold out within days. "He had a good feeling when he came to Japan last May for the music video awards. So I’m sure he wanted to come back to Japan as soon as possible," she said.
Agence France-Presse
Would you pay 400,000 yen to see Michael Jackson? I sure as heck wouldn’t.
