Comment by bubbluppugus

That has little to do with "Japan" and more to do with "that's how it went back then."

There's stories all over about Hollywood dumping physical copies of films, sets and props only to later regret it.

No one knew if a sequel or trilogy or decades of fan service would happen. They didn't care like our rose colored glasses of time make us see.

American comics and Star Wars has had their continuity reset.

This is just "grass is greener" type thinking. It's only ever been the US fan culture that cared; most creators just see it as a paycheck