Michael Jackson

Pop star Michael Jackson appeared in public in Tokyo on Saturday for the first time since his acquittal on charges last year, accepting a music award and thanking "all the people who believed in me."

Introduced to an adoring crowd at a Tokyo stadium as "the king of pop, the king of rock and the king of soul," Jackson flashed a quick "peace" sign as he walked onstage to the sound of one of his biggest hits, Thriller.

"I'd like to say to the Japanese people from the bottom of my heart, 'I love you very, very much'," the 47-year-old entertainer said.

Receiving a Legend Award at MTV's Japan Video Music Awards ceremony, Jackson said, "I thank the fans around the world and I thank the fans in Japan."

A steady rain pelted Tokyo on Saturday, but neither the weather nor scandal could prevent several hundred fans from flocking to catch a glimpse of Jackson as he arrived to receive the award.

The crowd held up signs that read "We love you, Michael" and "Welcome to Japan" and some sported his trademark glitter glove as Jackson stepped out of a black limousine, surrounded by several bodyguards.

Although keeping largely out of public view since then, the performer continued to make headlines in a dispute with the state of California for his failure to pay employees at Neverland and maintain proper workers' compensation insurance.