Dear Yuichi:

Your letter of 12/23 arrived the day after I had mailed my letter of 12/31 to you.

I am looking forward to seeing the video of the Japanese TV program because it will be interesting to see how the interviews were used in it . Takeo Sasamoto may be sending me a copy of it. Mika Yamamoto sent me a very nice Xmas card with a note that I would receive a copy of the interview. I do not know if she means a copy of my interview or a copy of the program shown in Japan. I will just have to wait and see what I get from her. Hopefully, there will be some translations.

I believe there is a definite difference between an "Letter of Apology" and a "Letter of Regret " as I indicate in an earlier letter. I accept one of the definitions given in my Webste's collegiate Dictionary for the words-apology and regret.

　Apology- "2: an a admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret."
　Regret-"1: sorry aroused by circumstances beyond one's power to remedy."

Examples: When I offer my apology, I am admitting, or implying, some degree of guilt or error for what I , or others, have done. When I say that I regret that something was done, said or happened; then, I am saying that I am sorry that it happened, was done or was said, but I am not admitting any involvement or guilt.

I hope this will help you to understand why and how I use these two words. The wording of a letter would be very important whenever either word is used. I do not know how a lawyer or the legal profession would accept any differences in the use of these two words. You will cometimes see the two words interchanged ( used instead of the other ) . This will make any differences seem less noticeable.

　Ex. I apologized for the bad weather we are having here.
　 　 I regret we are having bad weather in Austin.

My best wishes to you and your family.

Sincerely
Bob
Robert R. Martindale