explanation, excuse, defense
長期の欠席について彼に弁明を求めた。
I asked him to explain his prolonged absence.
どう弁明しますか？
How do you explain yourself?
— オデッセイ (2015)
弁明したいことはあるか？
Do you have anything to say in your defense?
僕の大失敗について君に弁明する義務はない。
I don't owe you an explanation for my disastrous failure.
何か弁明したい事があるなら明日聞いてやる
If you have anything to say for yourself, I’ll hear you out tomorrow.
— Article 15 (2019)
弁明を聞こう
I want to hear your explanation.
— AKIRA (1988)
解決には時間がかかるという彼の弁明には誰も納得しなかった。
No one was convinced by his excuse that resolving it would take time.
弁明を大佐！
Explain yourself, Colonel!