Newly-elected senator announces candidacy for president

Czech-Japanese entrepreneur Tomio Okamura, who won a seat in the Senate in the weekend elections, has announced his candidacy for president. Mr.Okamura who is a well-know personality in the Czech Republic said that his success in the senate elections had convinced him he could do a lot for the country by entering public service. Mr. Okamura made it clear he would be losing out financially by entering politics but said it was time for people like him to show initiative and turn around the negative course of developments. Unlike many of his rivals, Mr. Okamura refused to invest in billboards and other traditional forms of campaigning opting instead to meet with voters in person and discuss their concerns.