Considering how consistently some readers will, by reflex, toss in a comment about World War II Japanese atrocities in any story regarding closure or reconciliation of the Pacific War, we all need to ask ourselves exactly what kind of formal "apology" would ever be enough - and not just from the Japanese, but from the Germans, the Russians, the British, the Chinese, the Dutch, the Spanish, the Italians, the Canadians, the Australians, and of course us, the Americans.  Is anyone so naive as to think any number of words will ever be enough now and forever?

Concerning just the Japanese wartime role in China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, if anyone here can craft an apology they deem "meaningful," please post it here, and after doing so, please forward a copy to the Japanese Consulate in Nuuanu.  I'm sure they'd appreciate having something so profoundly moving and, especially, final.

"We all value being able to bury the hatchet, but nobody ever forgets where the hatchet lies buried."