James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student from Hoover, Alabama, has been missing in Japan since May 29, and his family is desperately asking the public to help spread the word so more people in Japan can recognize him and report his whereabouts.
Higginbotham, a junior studying biosystems engineering, was traveling with his family to celebrate his younger brother’s high school graduation when he disappeared. He was last confirmed in the Kyoto area, with surveillance footage placing him at Yamashina Station east of the city.
His family said he arrived at Kyoto Station around 8:15 p.m. that evening, and his phone showed its last activity at 8:29 p.m. Whether he boarded a train after arriving at Yamashina Station remains unclear.
Before he vanished, Higginbotham purchased at a Kohnan hardware store in the Kyoto area. Family members believe he was traveling east from Kyoto along the Biwako Line, also known as the Tokaido Main Line, or the Kosei Line.
Family Believes He May Have Entered Trail Areas Near Yamashina
Because Higginbotham is an experienced hiker and avid outdoorsman, his family believes he may have gone into wooded or trail areas near Yamashina. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, listed several specific locations he may have headed toward, including Bishamon-do, Lake Biwa Canal, Misasagi, the Kyoto Trail, Mount Otowa, and Daigo or Kami-Daigo.
Search efforts have been complicated by a typhoon that swept through the region, making it difficult to cover trails and wooded areas in the days following his disappearance.
Nancy also expressed concern that her son may be in emotional distress. She was clear, however, that police have confirmed he was not detained after a night out. She described Weston as a kind and gentle person. “He is a vegan pacifist. He doesn’t even kill mosquitoes,” she said. “He has a heart of gold.”
His father, Keith Higginbotham, noted that Weston should stand out in a crowd because of his appearance.
Weston is 6 feet 1 inch tall with long blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a shirt with a white front and the words “Save the Bees” on the back with two bumblebees, lavender corduroy pants with a large cuff, and worn white Adidas shoes with black stripes. He was also carrying a shoulder bag featuring the outline of the state of Alabama.
The family has been vocal in their appreciation for the support they have received. Japanese police, FBI agents, U.S. diplomats, Alabama officials, and volunteers have all been involved in the search.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the administration is aware of the situation and called the safety of Americans its highest priority.
Alabama State Rep. Mike Shaw said he has been in contact with the honorary consul general of Japan and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, and that appropriate resources are engaged in the search.
The family’s biggest hurdle now is reaching Japanese residents, who are most likely to encounter Weston if he is moving through the area.
Anyone who sees Higginbotham is asked not to post his location publicly but to contact local Japanese police immediately and then notify the family.
