JAPANESE TOURISM UP 20% IN L.A. -- BLAME NOMOMANIA, GOLF

     Travel from Japan to L.A. is up about 20% since the arrival
of Hideo Nomo to the Dodgers, according to Tim Deady of the L.A.
BUSINESS JOURNAL.  Officials at the L.A. Convention and Visitors
Bureau say tours are being organized in Japan to visit L.A. at
times when Nomo pitches at Dodger Stadium.  Officials also say
that the PGA Championship, to be played at L.A.'s Riviera Country
Club next month, is also boosting Japan bookings.  Michael
Collins, Senior VP of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, noted
golf's popularity in Japan and said that Nomo's popularity is
helping the image of L.A. in that country, giving viewers a
chance "to see how beautiful it is."  Collins:  "The shots of
Dodger Stadium can only help us" (L.A. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/17-
23).