Looks like it was an intentional internet lie. It didn't seem likely in the first place.
I'd say "Leejet" has probably been banned from Storm2K for deliberately posting false info. I read that same AP article on several websites and they are all the same, with none of the text about the "French meteorologist" anywhere to be seen.
I knew it was bogus from the getgo...
BUMP for update as Ioke heads towards the Boso Peninsula of eastern Japan...