I live about 45 minutes from Lake Biwa, and I or one of my crew is on the water several times per week. I do not personally know the angler who landed the giant, Mr. Kurita. Mr. Okamura of Deps (who did the TV interview of the angler) is a personal friend.
That said, I received many calls and emails from a variety of sources regarding the big fish. Of course there is more to the story, but nothing out of the ordinary in this extraordinary event. I was asked to reveal only the certified weight, length, and place caught, so that is what I did. That is what is really important until the gentleman who caught the grand fish issues a formal media release.

Catching the fish in Lake Biwa presents several challenging issues.
The law against catch and release is a complicated issue as well.
Very few anglers in Japan can legally catch and release bass in the restricted areas. I am one of the few non JB Bass tournament fishermen in Japan that can legally release bass; perhaps 95% of the anglers who fish Lake Biwa can not. Proper handling and transportation, and finally possession of the fish is yet another complicated issue
From what I have been told, for Mr. Kurita to release the giant fish would have been illegal.
Yes, I have skirted the issue of what (lure) the fish was caught on.
Again, Mr. Kurita will most likely issued a complete account of what went down soon. Again, this will not be a bit surprise; some of you probably already know.

The aforementioned are the facts that have come from a variety of reliable sources. The following is my opinion/thoughts:
I seems like like this is the real deal-I have heard of no major conflicting or potential discrepancies.
. I think that the angler, and the good people who are advising him, such as Mr. Okamura, are just making sure to dot all the "I's" and cross all the "T's".

Congratulations to Mr. Kurita. Whether it becomes a joint WR or not, he has made his mark in bass fishing history.



>I'm reading every blog, news site, and forum about the fish
>caught in Japan at 22-5 yesterday. There's no news beyond
>what Greg posted here this morning (thank you Capt. G). And
>in reading around I'm feeling for the pulse of the angling
>community. It's a community that has been beaten down by
>world record rumors in the past, but there's a sense that this
>time - it's real.
>
>And I agree. I think this fish is going to certify and share
>the title of world record largemouth bass. But the word share
>has so many interesting implications. Because if the IGFA
>calls it a tie, it makes me feel like now we're going in to
>overtime. Now we're in the 10th inning. Because in real
>sports like baseball and bass fishing, there are no ties.
>
>This isn't soccer where everyone gets tired late in the game
>and calls it good at 1 to 1. This is bass fishing, where the
>heaviest five takes the tournament, and if it's a tie it goes
>to the guy with the big bass in his limit. If its still a tie
>there's a fish-off until a winner is declared and it doesn't
>matter if its raining or windy - bass fisherman fish until the
>end.
>
>I've given a lot of thought to this 2oz differential rule the
>IGFA has for certifying a new record. The rule is there for a
>reason. The reason is because when you weigh an animal that
>lives in water, there's room for variation. We aren't
>weighing sacks of flour here. We're weighing slippery wet
>bass that dry out and poop out and spit up. Take the same 20
>pound fish, weigh it 10 minutes apart and you just might get a
>2oz difference.
>
>None of this is to detract from this incredible catch. What a
>catch! Manabu Kurita, who ever you are congratulations! It
>is so hard to bring huge bass to the boat without losing them.
> What a tremendous accomplishment.
>
>My point is that this catch could signal a new era in the
>quest for the world record bass. It could be an era where two
>countries share the record, and fanatical bass maniacs like
>you and me strive to claim the undisputed heavy weight bass
>championship. I'm ready to share in the quest. There are
>passionate trophy bass anglers in Japan who lay up at night
>just like you and me dreaming about the biggest of the big.
>This bass just lights the fire even stronger. Let's go
>fishing!

"Known as the person who introduced swimbait fishing to Japan"