What happens when Japanese women rise in the corporate ranks and start raking in the dough? Well, aside from reaching greater professional parity and personal power ... they start hiring geisha guys, naturally.

CNN reports today on the growing industry of male entertainers, so-dubbed geisha guys, who earn $1,000 to $50,000 a night for keeping women company. They reportedly dress to the nines, dye and blow-dry their hair, lavish their clients with compliments and ... that's allegedly it. As CNN puts it, "The industry says only compliments" -- meaning no bodily fluids -- "are exchanged." Yunosuke, a 24-year-old entertainer, says: "I give women things that men normally don't do, like complimenting their appearance." Jeez, considering the potential $50,000 price tag, I hate to think what stimulating conversation or a compliment of any depth would cost.

CNN reports that this trend signifies "a dizzying reversal of traditional gender roles in a country long known for geishas pampering male clients with conversation, singing and dancing." Of course, this taps into a larger cross-cultural truth: Regardless of their sex, for some high-powered business people money isn't an issue when it comes to companionship. Or, perhaps it is the issue.