A Hoover, Alabama family is urgently seeking the public’s assistance in the search for 20-year-old James “Weston” Higginbotham, an Auburn University student who disappeared while traveling in Japan. His disappearance has prompted concern from family, friends, university officials, and local authorities as efforts continue to locate him safely.
According to his family, Weston was last confirmed in the Kyoto area on May 29 during a family trip that began on May 25. Authorities reviewing surveillance footage have narrowed his last known location to Yamashina Station, east of Kyoto. Investigators determined that Weston exited a train at the station, although it remains unclear whether he later boarded another train.
His phone reportedly lost network service around 8:29 p.m. on May 29 after arriving at Kyoto Station at approximately 8:15 p.m. Police believe he may have continued traveling east on either the Biwako Line or the Kosei Line.
Family members say Weston is an experienced traveler, environmental engineering student, avid hiker, and excellent navigator. They believe he may have intentionally headed toward nearby natural areas, including Bishamon-do, the Lake Biwa Canal, Misasagi, Keage, Nanzen-ji, the Kyoto Trail, Mount Otowa, or the Daigo and Kami-Daigo regions. However, they are also concerned he may be emotionally distressed.
Weston is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall with long blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a shirt featuring a “Save the Bees” design on the back, lavender corduroy pants, and worn white Adidas shoes with black stripes. He was carrying a shoulder bag displaying the outline of the state of Alabama.
His parents have begun searching wooded areas near Yamashina and are asking residents, hikers, business owners, and volunteers throughout Kyoto, Yamashina, Otsu, and the Lake Biwa region to remain alert.
Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities immediately. Auburn University has also expressed support for Weston’s family as the search continues.