And China committing demographic suicide during COVID (although it wasn't great beforehand!).

I know you know this, but that literature wasn't premised on the idea of the West basically laying down for a lethargic Japan to step over on the way to the prize!

I hear from American friends from time to time how "trifling" Japanese political scandals are. I'm always quite happy to push back and say I'm kind of glad!(Despite my dissatisfaction with how the media goes about managing the information).

I think in this particular case you may be right. I just marvel at the timing sometimes ;-)

Or do they really think they've gotten away with their indiscretions?

I feel it's both corrosive to democracy that the media does this (instead of being "timely" by releasing it when they know) but also frustrating that they do indeed make it so easy. Also, if it's assumed, wouldn't you want to get ahead of it before it's released at the worst possible time?