Is the PS3 region free - games?

Hi everyone, I just have a silly question about the PS3.

By any chance is the PS3 region free? since I'm thinking about importing 50 Cent's PS3 game (the Japanese version one has trophies :P) from Japan and I want to know if I can do this on an American PS3 160 GB Slim. 

If it is region free, does this mean I can also play games from EU as well?

Thanks everyone! :)

EDIT: Also, will this affect my trophy list? since my PSN account is from the United States and will it register the trophies on my American account? thanks!

It wont effect trophies either.  I have the US version of Demon Souls on my UK PS3 and the trophies register just fine.

All games are region free disc based and downloadable games on PSN apart from Persona 4 as it was Atlus who made the decision to put a region lock on that game.  

DLC is region locked.

DLC is region locked.wwefanforlife

Only thing that COULD look funny is that it's very possible that friends of you if they have the same game, just with another region will see it popping up twice in their Trophy lists right above / below each other.

Not a big deal though, just thought I share this bit of info with you.

Only thing that COULD look funny is that it's very possible that friends of you if they have the same game, just with another region will see it popping up twice in their Trophy lists right above / below each other.

Not a big deal though, just thought I share this bit of info with you.

Justforvisit

There are actually people who buy the same game twice from different regions to be able to get the double amount of trophies.Reptylus