Michael Jackson fans flocked to the opening in Tokyo of an exhibition of memorabilia from the late King of Pop, including his famous crystal-studded gloves and favourite 1967 Rolls Royce.

Some ardent fans were overcome with emotion and fainted while viewing the Lifetime Collection of some 300 items belonging to the singer on display in a hall at the foot of Tokyo Tower.

Exhibits included stage costumes and props such as the crystal-studded gloves worn by the superstar, who died last June aged 50.

"By seeing his memorabilia, I was refreshing my memories of Michael," Kimiko Sato, 49, said, sobbing. "I felt as if he were still alive here." Yu Tei, a 21-year-old Chinese student studying in Tokyo, said: "It was so regretful that we lost him. I like all of his songs and his lifestyle. He was so cool."

The collection also included costumes and masks of ghosts prepared for his unrealised London performance scheduled for last year as well as plastic containers used for his lunch in his last days.

Among other items were an antique piano, a gate sign from his Neverland ranch, trophies and gold discs commemorating one million sales of his records such as Rockin' Robin, Got To Be There, Maybe Tomorrow and I Want You Back.

A memorial event will be held at the hall on June 25 to mark the first anniversary of his death, the organisers said, adding that proceeds from the two-month exhibition would be in part given to Jackson's estate administrators and children.