Since Michael Jackson forsook his Neverland Ranch, the King of Pop has popped up in some very unexpected locales.</PARAGRAPH> <PHOTO> <TABLE WIDTH='250' ALIGN='RIGHT' BORDER='0'> <TR> <TD><IMG ALT='News photo' BORDER='0' SRC='../images/photos2007/nn20070128f1a.jpg' WIDTH='250' HEIGHT='373'/></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Michael Jackson appears at a news conference for MTV Japan's video awards show in Tokyo last May. </B> AP PHOTO</FONT></TD> </TR> <TABLE> </PHOTO> <PARAGRAPH>He's taken up residence in the Gulf state of Bahrain, in France and even in a castle in Ireland. He recently showed up in Augusta, Georgia, to give a eulogy at James Brown's funeral, and materialized in London to accept an award for his contributions to the world of pop music. Lately, he's been spotted in Las Vegas on his famed shopping sprees.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>So where is he now?</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>In a rare conference call, the pop icon emerged with his spokeswoman Friday to confirm that he is back in the United States after more than a year of self-imposed exile following his acquittal in a high-profile child molestation trial that ended in June 2005.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>They also confirmed he is on the comeback trail -- planning a pair of 'fan appreciation events' in Japan in March, one of which will charge 400,000 yen for the opportunity to have from 30 seconds to one minute of face time with the Gloved One.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Beyond that, however, Jackson is still very much in the mystery mode.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'I can confirm that he is in the United States,' spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said. 'We don't give out information regarding our client's whereabouts because of safety, and this is just an ongoing policy.'</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>During the brief conference call, which Jackson's handlers said was the first with the media since the trial, Jackson read a statement about his plans to visit Japan and allowed only one question -- How are you?</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'I'm fine, thank you,' was his reply.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Even so, Jackson sounded comfortable and even happy to be speaking, joking that he was worried the quality of the phone line would make him have to shout and 'ruin the emotion of the piece.'</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>On visiting Japan, he was enthusiastic.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'I love Japan,' he said. 'It is one of my favorite places in the entire world.'</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, said he has chosen to come back to Japan because of the strong support he gets here.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'My friends and fans in Japan have been so supportive of me and my family for many, many years,' he said. 'My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry.'</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>But Jackson won't be giving away his love.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Broderick Morris, the promoter working the Japan side of Jackson's trip, said they have sold 220 of 300 tickets to a 'platinum VIP party' on March 8 with Jackson at 400,000 yen a pop. </PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Guests will have dinner, get autographed photos and be able to 'meet and greet' Jackson for 30 seconds to one minute, he said.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'These are people who have followed him around the world for 10 or 20 years,' Morris said. 'They are going to lose their minds when they see him up this close.'</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Tickets for a less-exclusive party the following day went on sale Saturday. At 15,000 yen, all 2,500 are also expected to sell out, Morris said.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Jackson is not obligated to perform at either event, and promoters refused to comment on how much Jackson, 48, would be paid.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Morris did offer one tidbit.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>He said Jackson is currently in Las Vegas.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>More than the money, the Japan appearances are a chance for Jackson to take an important step in his gradual return to the public eye.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>He made his first official foray back into the spotlight after his acquittal with an appearance in Tokyo, to accept MTV Japan's 'Legend Award.' Last November, he allowed the syndicated TV show 'Access Hollywood' to film him in the studio, working on music with producer will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Success isn't guaranteed -- Jackson's last album, 2001's 'Invincible,' went double-platinum but didn't register any megahits.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>And, comeback ambitions notwithstanding, Jackson continues to be a bit shell-shocked around the media.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Since Jackson acknowledged in a TV interview that he –

slept with young boys, an admission that helped fuel the molestation charges that nearly derailed his career, Bain said Jackson has given only one brief interview.