Michael Jackson to accept award in Tokyo

LOS ANGELES, May 27 (Reuters) Pop star Michael Jackson plans to accept an entertainment award in Tokyo today in what will be his first public appearance since his acquittal on sex-abuse charges last year, his publicist said.

Jackson, who has remained largely in seclusion since his trial on child molestation charges, also will spend time in Tokyo touring the city, visiting orphanages and meeting with Asian business leaders, according to spokeswoman Raymone Bain.

The 47-year-old entertainer is due to receive the ''Legend Award'' at MTV's Japan Video Music Awards ceremony today, Bain said, adding that his trip kicks off the first in a series of planned visits to Asia, a region where Jackson has long enjoyed his greatest popularity.

''I look forward to my visit to Japan because I have so many fond memories of my visits there,'' Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson moved to the Middle Eastern state of Bahrain shortly after a jury cleared him last June of charges that he had sexually abused a young boy at his Neverland Valley Ranch in central California.

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.

Last month, Jackson reached agreement with creditors and Sony Corp. to refinance some 270 million dollars in loans, and avoid default, by giving up half of his prized stake in the Beatles' song catalog.

Days later, a Bahrain-based music label announced it had teamed up with Jackson to produce a new album by the singer, his first studio collection since the release of ''Invincible'' in 2001.

Reuters DKS GC0920