Authorities in Japan continue their search for James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student from Auburn University who has been reported missing while on a family holiday. Weston was last spotted on May 29 after he had separated temporarily from his family during their trip to Japan. Investigators are taking his disappearance seriously and are treating it as a missing persons case. However, they have expressed concerns for his well-being, particularly as he does not speak the local language.
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Weston, who is studying biosystems engineering at Auburn University, was travelling with his family since May 25. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, shared details of the trip on social media, revealing that relatives last saw him in their hotel room following a disagreement. She recounted that the family was bickering and noted, “He just needed time by himself, just like we all did.”
On the evening of May 29, Weston arrived at Kyoto train station around 8:15 p.m. local time. According to Nancy, local authorities confirmed that after disembarking, Weston was seen getting off at Yamashina station. While he did not inform his parents about his destination, he has a penchant for hiking, and the area features several trails. His mother conveyed, “I’m thinking … he’s just off in the woods, and he got lost,” highlighting that such excursions for solitude were typical of her son.
Weston’s phone, however, lost network connectivity shortly after 8:29 p.m., coinciding with the family’s increasing attempts to reach him via text. His father, Keith, speculated that Weston may have switched off his phone to escape the barrage of messages concerning his whereabouts. Since that evening, he has had no contact with family or friends.
The search for Weston has faced additional challenges due to a recent typhoon that impacted the region, hindering ongoing efforts. Local police are treating his disappearance as a critical matter. They believe it’s possible that Weston might have intentionally distanced himself from his family. Nonetheless, they remain concerned about his safety due to his lack of Japanese language skills.
The authorities from Kyoto Prefectural Police reported that there is currently no indication of foul play involved in his disappearance. The police have employed K-9 units and helicopters to aid in the search, scouring the mountainous and wooded areas around Kyoto. They plan to intensify their search efforts in the days to come.
The university community has expressed support for Weston’s family during this distressing time. An Auburn University representative stated that they are aware of the situation and have reached out to the Higginbotham family with offers of assistance. In respect of privacy, the university added they would refrain from further comments as the situation unfolds.
Described as standing 6 feet 1 inch tall with long blonde hair and blue eyes, Weston was last seen wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with “Save the Bees,” along with lavender corduroy trousers. His family remains optimistic despite the uncertainty. In a Facebook update posted on June 4, Nancy offered an encouraging perspective, asserting, “The area where we believe Weston is missing has ample water and limited berries.”
She expressed confidence in her son’s ability to survive, stating, “He can endure six days of being out in the wilderness.” The family continues to hold on to hope as the search efforts persist, urging those who might have seen Weston or have any information to come forward.