Michael Jackson received a warm welcome at Tokyo airport

It is unclear whether the 48-year-old will also perform at the event, which is due to take place on Thursday.

Jackson made his first official appearance in Japan after being cleared of child molestation charges in 2005.

Earlier this year, the singer said that Japan is "one of my favourite places in the entire world".

"My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry," he added in a rare interview with the Associated Press news agency in January.

Disappointed

Jackson is also attending a fan art contest in Tokyo for those who are unable to afford tickets to the "platinum VIP" party, which was originally scheduled for December.

The winning artists will have brunch with the singer and have their photographs taken with him.

Organisers have refused to comment on any fee Jackson may receive for his appearances.

Jackson, who has lived in Bahrain, France and Ireland since his court case, appeared on stage at the World Music Awards in London last November.

But he disappointed fans by singing only a few lines of We Are The World, when it was believed he would perform a version of his hit Thriller.