Michael Visits a Welfare Center in Tokyo

One day after receiving the Legend of the Century award, Michael visited a welfare center in Tokyo with his children, Prince and Paris.

Upon entering the gym hall of the welfare center, Michael encountered a large number of his fans. He shouted toward his fans: “I love you.” Then, after a brief conversation with his translator, he said: “Aishiteru!”

Inside the children’s home Seibi Gakuen, Michael met 160 orphaned children aged 2 to 18, as well as a number of nuns who were responsible for caring for them.

After watching a 15-minute traditional performance by children from the welfare center who were wearing kimonos, he went on stage to give a speech to them. He said to the children:

“I’m very happy to be here. I’m happy to be with you wonderful people.”

After that, he went among the kids to shake hands with them—while they constantly called his name and wouldn’t let go of his coat sleeves—and to sign their papers.

Eiho Omori, a 13-year-old boy, said: “He’s very tall and very handsome. I don’t know his songs, but I’ve seen his dancing on TV.”

The instructors at the welfare center said they were surprised to hear that Michael would be coming to their children’s home.

“No one believed that a big international star would come here to see us.” This is what Mrs. Kiyoko Mito, the director of the welfare center, says.

“The children only believed me after they heard the news on television.”