A Japanese law firm explains that after a traffic accident, the share of fault is decided by the objective facts of the accident. It does not change because one side apologized. The firm also notes that some insurance companies tell the driver at fault not to go to the victim to apologize.
For criminal cases in which the accused denies the charge, a lawyer advises an apology that does not go into the facts. It should focus on having caused the other person distress and on the trouble that arose.