Possible explanations will be offered to encourage thought about these issues. The misunderstanding in this incident occurred because apologies are interpreted differently in the United States compared to Japan. In the United States, apologies are associated with weakness and the admission of guilt. In this case, people at the meeting might interpret Harumi's apology as an admission of responsibility for a poor presentation. In Japan, apologies are less associated with weakness or the admission of guilt.
Apologies show concern for the difficulties and distress people are experiencing.
However, Japanese people making apologies are not claiming responsibility for the difficulties or distress. Japanese like hearing apologetic language. It shows modesty and demonstrates that people are not putting themselves above others. Many of you in the audience could make a better presentation. A comparable type of language Americans like to hear deals with compliments.