Michael Jackson choked up as he thanked his cheering Japanese fans who gathered to see him accept the Japan MTV Legend Award on Saturday, marking the pop icon’s first public appearance since his acquittal last June on child molestation charges in the United States.

“I’m honoured to be in Japan again and I’m very happy to be among the Japanese people because I love them very much,” Jackson said in his brief appearance at the video music awards ceremony Saturday at Tokyo’s Yoyogi Olympic Stadium. “Thank you for your loyalty.”

Jackson arrived Friday night with his three children on the first leg of a swing through Asia that will also take him to Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

“I’d like to say to the Japanese people from the bottom of my heart, I love you very much,” said Jackson in an emotional message. Responding to fans screaming “I love you,” Jackson replied: “I love you more.” Then he raised his hands with a V-sign.

The pop star planned to visit orphanages, tour Tokyo and meet with members of the Asian business community during his stay through Wednesday.

Jackson, 47, has been living in the Middle Eastern kingdom of Bahrain since his acquittal last June on child molestation charges in California.

Source: Associated Press