POP & ROCK

Michael Jackson’s final concert in Tokyo Monday night--billed by the Japanese press as his “farewell concert to Japan”--went by without a word about retirement from Jackson himself. Jackson spoke to the audience only briefly during the two-hour show, the ninth and final concert of his current stand in Tokyo, saying: “ Domo arigato (thank you very much) to everyone in Japan” and “I love you, Japan.” In August, Jackson’s manager, Frank Dileo, said the tour probably would be Jackson’s last, adding that Jackson would go on to “do movies and other things.” But that was before Jackson developed throat problems prior to his Los Angeles dates last month. Now Jackson’s possibly final live performances will be in Los Angeles in January. Commented one Japanese fan: “It’s going to be lonely without Michael. It’s as though his life is over.”