The Tokyo High Court has upheld a lower court ruling repealing the government's rejection of an Afghan man's refugee status and its decision to deport him.
Ali Jane, 24, is in danger of persecution at home for being a member of an anti-Taliban family, presiding Judge Kazuhiro Tomikoshi said in the ruling Wednesday.
According to the ruling, the man entered Japan via Pakistan in August 2001, but having no passport he was detained at an immigration center in Ibaraki Prefecture. as an illegal entrant.
Citing fear of persecution, he applied for refugee status with the justice minister, but was denied the status in September 2001.