Japanese Monster of the Deep?

Tonight we babysat S&D, the children of good friends. We've been the children's 'favourite' babysitters since before they can remember. Obviously they may say that to all their babysitters but I like the title in any case.

S&D are growing up, the way children do, but thankfully they're not too old to tickle! After they eventually went to bed, we settled down with a cuppa and a book. While making the cuppa, I noticed this little tableau in the kitchen. Their mother lived in Japan in her early 20s teaching English and brought back the two figures on the left. Then a son came along...

:-)