The Truth About Michael Jackson (Japanese: マイケル・ジャクソン 愛と哀しみの真実, Michael Jackson: Love and Sorrow – The Truth) is a Japanese television special produced and broadcast by Nippon Television (NTV) on December 16, 2009 for their program The World's Astonishing News ! The documentary aired as part of a series of memorial programs following the death of American singer and entertainer Michael Jackson earlier that year.
Overview[]
The special explores the life, controversies, and legacy of Michael Jackson through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and dramatized reenactments. The program aimed to provide a clearer understanding of Jackson’s public image and personal struggles, including coverage of the 1993 allegations and his 2005 trial.
Unlike most Western-produced documentaries, the Japanese broadcast placed a strong emphasis on humanizing Jackson and presenting a balanced narrative for Japanese audiences, focusing on both his artistic genius and the tragedies surrounding his career.
Production and broadcast[]
The special aired on NTV from 19:56 to 21:54 JST and was produced specifically for the Japanese television market. It featured Japanese narration and commentary from local journalists, entertainment critics, and music experts familiar with Jackson’s global influence.
Re-enactment segments were filmed to visually represent key moments in Jackson’s life, which were dubbed in Japanese for broadcast.
Cast[]
- Carlo Riley – Michael Jackson (reenactment segments)
Reception[]
The program received moderate attention in Japan, with many viewers praising its attempt to explore the “truth” behind Jackson’s public image. Some fans noted the sensitivity and sympathy with which the special handled controversial aspects of Jackson’s life compared to Western media coverage at the time.
Though not officially released outside Japan, recorded copies and clips have circulated online through fan communities, where it is often referred to by its English title, The Truth About Michael Jackson.
Video[]
