A high court in Nagoya on Thursday authorized refugee status for a 41-year-old Ugandan woman, overturning a lower court ruling that upheld the government's rejection of her claim.
The Nagoya High Court recognized that the woman was warned to stop participating in political activities by the Ugandan government and was assaulted apparently for such activities.
"Even if she is not in a leadership position, the woman could be persecuted if she returns home," presiding Judge Kiyoshi Ibi said in handing down the ruling.
The woman intends to return to her country once it becomes safe to do so, according to her supporters.
According to the ruling, after fleeing to Japan in July 2008, the woman applied for refugee status in November 2009 only to be rejected in January 2011.