A former executive of a troubled Japanese internet start-up has been selected to become the nation’s first space tourist.

Japanese stocks plunged for a second day today, bringing its two-day loss to nearly 6% amid investor jitters about a widening criminal investigation of internet start-up Livedoor Co.

Stocks fell today as oil prices rose past US$66 (€54.52) a barrel and Wells Fargo & Co. and other bank earnings disappointed the market.