Japan Really?

(Newser) - Japan's prime minister suffered a humiliating blow today in a no-confidence motion passed by the upper house of the country's legislature—a post-war first, the BBC reports. Although the measure isn't politically binding, it's the latest step by the opposition to force Yasuo Fukuda to call new elections, a call Fukuda has repeatedly dismissed. More »

(Newser) - Six-country negotiations aimed at producing a formal disclosure of North Korea's nuclear activities have advanced, Reuters reports, but aren't close to being settled. "We've definitely made some progress," said US envoy Christopher Hill today. "We still have a lot of work ahead of us. I don't want to suggest there's been any major breakthrough." More »

(Newser) - The Democratic Party of Japan has accepted a new central banker just in time for the crucial meeting of G7 finance leaders in Washington on Friday, reports the International Business Times . The top spot has been vacant since March 19, leaving the bank vulnerable during an unsteady economic time. Masaaki Shirakawa is expected to be formally nominated today as Bank of Japan chief. More »

(Newser) - A new breed of companion is the rage in Japan, entertaining women with lavish compliments, conversation and undivided attention—the male geisha. Businesswomen pay upwards of $1,000 a night for these men, CNN reports—with, industry reps say, nothing physical being exchanged. Hundreds of such services have sprouted across the country, driven in part by the increased spending power of Japanese women. More »

(Newser) - Japanese police arrested a US sailor today on suspicion of stabbing a taxi driver to death and then robbing him, Reuters reports. The 22-year-old Nigerian national serving in the American Navy was already in US custody on charges of desertion. The American ambassador to Japan was forced to apologize for yet another US serviceman implicated in a crime in recent months. More »

(Newser) - A worldwide wave of anti-Americanism appears to be abating a bit, though global views toward the US continue to be mainly negative, according to a BBC World Service poll. The average percentage of people saying the US is a negative global influence dropped to below 50% for the first time in three years. Those who believe the US is a positive influence increased to 35% from 31% a year ago. More »

(Newser) - Most historical films forgo a few facts for dramatic flair, but these flicks leave truth to the cutting room floor. Yahoo lists the most inaccurate movies ever: 10,000 BC : Woolly mammoths weren't around to help build the pyramids. Gladiator : Emperor Commodus didn't kill his dad... chickenpox did. 300 : Spartan warriors wore bronze armor, not leather Speedos. The Last Samurai : 19th-century Japan did have war advisers, but they weren't American. Apocalypto : Mel's Mayan saviors actually killed off 90% of the indigenous people. More »