Japan parliament session opens with prime minster apologizing for heckling opposition lawmaker

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows at the start of a parliamentary session in Tokyo Monday, June 1, 2015. Abe apologized Monday for yelling at an opposition lawmaker during her question last Thursday about controversial defense legislation. (JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologizes for yelling at an opposition lawmaker during her question last Thursday about controversial defense legislation, at a parliamentary session in Tokyo Monday, June 1, 2015. Japan's parliamentary session opened this week with an unusual apology from Prime Minister Abe over his heckling. (JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

Japan's parliamentary session opened this week with an unusual apology from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over his heckling.

Abe apologized Monday for yelling at an opposition lawmaker during her question last Thursday about controversial defense legislation.

Abe intervened when Democratic Party of Japan member Kiyomi Tsujimoto was taking several minutes to ask if the legislation could increase the risk of casualties for Japanese defense troops.

"Come on, just ask a question!" Abe heckled from his seat, temporarily stalling the session as Tsujimoto protested.

Abe said her long question was taking away from his time to respond, then reluctantly apologized, but faced further criticism from both opposition and ruling parties.

Abe said in April he looked forward to speaking before the U.S. Congress where he expected no heckling.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/japan-parliament-session-opens-with-prime-minster-apologizing-for-heckling-opposition-lawmaker