As the hot, humid days lure people to the beaches, some may worry about the deadly octopuses that have been spotted in the Kanto region. To the relief of many, experts say few of them are still alive and beach-goers don't need to worry about the possibility of being bit by the venomous little critters.
Blue-ringed octopi, with a highly venomous bite, were first seen near the town of Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, in May. They were then observed last month in a port area in Chigasaki, Kanagawa.
Each one carries the potentially fatal poison tetrodotoxin, the same toxin possessed by fugu, or puffer fish. A bite from the octopus can cause respiratory failure.