Michael at the Fan Appreciation Celebration

On Friday, March 9, a group of not-so-wealthy fans who hadn’t managed to buy tickets for the relatively expensive dinner party the night before finally got the chance to meet Michael. The ticket price for this celebration was $130, and nearly 1,000 fans attended.

Filming cameras were prevented from entering the gym hall located at Camp Zama.

Jun Sahs, a 7-year-old fan waiting in line at the entrance, said about Michael: “I love his eyes, his nose, and his dancing.”

March 9 is Fan Appreciation Day in Japan. That’s why Michael chose this day to thank his fans.

Yoko Gomi, a 52-year-old housewife, said: “I’m happy that he came here from the other side of the world to see us, and I can breathe the same air that he breathes.”

During his stay in Japan, Michael visited a store and also went to Disneyland, and on both visits, large crowds of his fans accompanied him.

Michael also met thousands of American soldiers and their families at Camp Zama, located south of Tokyo.

This meeting felt like a break, after days spent among the crowds of fans and many meetings with Japanese billionaire businessmen, finally bringing Michael to them.

Nearly 3,000 American soldiers and their families had gathered in the hall. Michael walked through them, shook hands with them, and thanked them for their services.

In his brief speech, Michael said:

“You who are here are among the most special people in the world. Because of your presence and those who fearlessly gave their lives to protect us, we can now enjoy our freedom.”

Michael also attended a ceremony held at Camp to promote the rank of one of the army soldiers, and he awarded him his rank.

Colonel Robert M. Waltimer, commander of the Camp Zama base, presented Michael with a certificate of appreciation for his visit to the American military stationed in Japan.

Camp Zama is the headquarters of American troops in Japan.

Source: eMJey / Reuters / AP / Yahoo News