On a northern Japanese beach, a bright blue jelly-like creature that didn't seem to belong there appeared. Locals weren't sure what they were seeing because the water was colder than where these critters are often found. It initially looked like the Portuguese man-of-war, a species more commonly found in warmer waters. It turns out that the similarity was deceptive. Upon deeper examination in the laboratory, scientists discovered it did not correspond with any known species. Something fresh washed up in Sendai Bay. Although its existence does not provide easy solutions, it contributes to the increasing awareness that the coastal waters surrounding Japan are changing in ways that are not always readily apparent.
