Singer Michael Jackson will make a rare public appearance at the MTV Japan Awards on Saturday.

Jackson, 47, will receive the Legend Award at the Video Music Awards in Tokyo, said his spokesman Raymone Bain.

"I look forward to seeing old friends and saying hello to my huge fan base in Japan," said Jackson in a statement.

He said fans in Japan, where he has sold more than 100 million albums "had consistently shown their love and support to me and my family".

The pop star moved to the Gulf state of Bahrain after being acquitted of child molestation charges in California last year.

Jackson's schedule in Tokyo will include visiting orphanages and meeting with members of Japan's business community, the statement said.

It marks the launch of his Asian tour, to include visits to Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Ms Bain said that Jackson plans to return to recording and hopes to release a new album in 2007.