A question of timing, smiddy!
I worked on the AID book, in the factory and, later, indirectly, when working on the 1966 -- 1970 Index, which heavily referenced Aid to Bible Understanding. This was well before NHK's announcement in the spring of '72.
If I find my copy of AtBU, I'll check the actual copyright date. You're right, though -- it was close!
THANKS!