The news that the European Commission’s competition unit has requested more information on Apple Inc.’s special tax arrangements with Ireland means that the ongoing state aid investigation will not be concluded until 2016. Ireland would gain billions of euros from an adverse finding but the Irish Government says it would appeal such a ruling to the European Court of Justice — this is what Americans would call political Kabuki, evoking the classical Japanese dance-drama. However, in deference to the people of Japan, Kabuki has substance behind the elaborate moves.