Unlike Germany, the Japanese haven't completely accepted the extent of their war crimes. However, they don't deny them either. The Japanese political climate is heated.

The first formal and public apology for the Rape of Nanking was given on August 15, 1995 by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama. Since then, many elected lawmakers and politicians have denounced such apologies and admissions of guilt, claiming that the whole incident is a fabrication. Since then, Prime Ministers of Japan have tried to calm this anger by going to the Yasukuni shrine, which has tributes to thousands of dead Japanese warriors throughout the medieval ages to modern times, including the war criminals of WWII. The Yasukuni shrine, although historically important, was not known to most Japanese until recently. For example, in 1915, a survey by the Ministry of Education had shown than less than 15% of Japanese youth were aware of the shrine and its purpose. Now, the shrine is used as a political tool to gain the support of right-wing political factions.

The Japanese have also apologised for using comfort women during the war. Korean women who were abducted for this purpose and are still alive today are currently suing the Japanese government for their actions in the past.

Here is a wiki article detailing the war apologies of Japan. Political opposition to this is frequently highlighted in the media, as nationalism and patriotism are still very important in Japanese society, and apologia towards the actions of the Empire during the war is the only way left for Japanese intelligentsia, the media, and politicans to vent out their views.