Boom in Fashion Issues : ‘Diana Fever’ Hits Tokyo

The Tokyo Stock Exchange succumbed to “Diana Fever” on Thursday as investors snapped up shares in fashion firms and department stores ahead of the arrival of Britain’s Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Brokers said investors were lured by prospects of a sales boom at “British Fair” and “England Week” bazaars during the couple’s visit, which started late Thursday.

Shares in the Isetan department store chain were 998 yen when the exchange closed, up 49 yen from Wednesday. Takashimaya, a chain with headquarters in western Japan--where the royal couple will spend most of their visit--soared 45 to 849.

Some sober-sided brokers scoffed as investors mimicked young Japanese girls who have already swooned with Diana-itis over the past month. “It just shows how speculative this market is getting,” one said.