Despite years of child molestation accusations and deep financial difficulties, Michael Jackson could always count on one nation for unquestioning fan loyalty and lucrative advertising deals — Japan.
His death in Los Angeles on Thursday at age 50 shook the country. Many Japanese TV channels switched to special programming, and a major online retailer was flooded with orders for Jackson's recordings. The government's top spokesman and other ministers expressed their condolences.
"He was a superstar. It is an extremely tragic loss. But it is fantastic he was able to give so many dreams and so much hope to the people of the world," said health minister Yoichi Masuzoe.