James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, went missing in Kyoto after CCTV showed him leaving a train at Yamashina station on May 29. His phone was last active that night, and his parents say he may have entered nearby hiking trails; they warned he could be emotionally distressed. Rough weather from a typhoon and steep, wet terrain have hampered search efforts that included about 50 officers, K9 teams and helicopters. U.S. and Japanese authorities are coordinating with the family as the search continues.
Auburn Student Missing in Kyoto: Family Pleads as Search Continues After He Leaves Train at Yamashina
James "Weston" Higginbotham.Credit: Nancy Higginbotham/Facebook
James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student at Auburn University, vanished in the Kyoto area on Friday, May 29 after being seen leaving a train at Yamashina station, his family says. The Higginbothams — who had traveled from Alabama to celebrate their younger son’s graduation — say Weston was last active on his phone that evening and has not been seen since.
What Happened
Local authorities reviewed CCTV footage showing Weston disembarking at Yamashina, but there is no evidence he reboarded the train. The family believes he may have followed a nearby hiking trail; Weston is described as an experienced hiker. His parents, Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, say he may be emotionally distressed and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
James "Weston" Higginbotham.Credit: Nancy Higginbotham/Facebook
“We are in our own living hell,” Nancy Higginbotham wrote in a public alert on June 2. She added that police have confirmed he is not being detained and asked the public for compassion as the family copes with uncertainty.
Search Efforts
Search operations have included roughly 50 police officers, K9 teams and helicopters combing steep, wooded terrain. Investigators reviewed extensive CCTV footage to reconstruct Weston’s movements. The search was complicated by a typhoon that swept through the area, producing wet conditions and limited ground access.
Nancy and Keith have personally joined local volunteers in on-foot searches, and they have shared photos of Weston to raise awareness among Japanese residents. Representative Mike Shaw of Alabama confirmed coordination between U.S. and Japanese officials, including contact with the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and local honorary consular staff in Japan.
The missing poster for James "Weston" Higginbotham.Credit: Nancy Higginbotham/Facebook
Description and Appeal
Weston is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall with long blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with the words 'Save the Bees' on the back and lavender corduroy pants. The family warns he could be emotionally distressed and emphasized the urgency of locating him safely.
Authorities named in media reports include Japan’s National Police Agency and the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe; both had not immediately provided comment to outlets at the time of reporting. The Higginbothams have thanked the agencies, volunteers and members of the public helping the search and say they will not give up hope.
How to Help: Anyone with information is asked to contact local Japanese authorities or the nearest U.S. consulate. The family has asked that sightings or tips be reported promptly so search teams can respond.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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