An Auburn University student who disappeared in Japan during a family trip remains a mystery.
James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, 20, was last seen in the Kyoto area on May 29, 2026.
According to information shared by James’ mother, Nancy Higginbotham, on social media, she asked the public to inform local police if anyone tracks him down.
The Higginbotham family believes he may have traveled to the forested or trail areas near Yamashina because of his love of hiking.
To locate the 20-year-old Hoover native, his family and friends gathered in Shelby County Tuesday night to host a prayer vigil.
His family says he made his last purchase at a Kohnan hardware store in the area, and the last phone activity was reported as the night progressed.
Japanese police officers informed the Weston family of the report that was filed and that he is not in custody after the night he disappeared.
According to the latest updates, investigators identified Higginbotham at the Yamashina train station, east of Kyoto.
According to his family, security camera footage reviewed by local police officers suggests that he arrived at the station around 8:15 p.m. on May 29, 2026.
But it is still unknown if he later boarded the train.
Authorities describe Higginbotham as being 6 feet, 1 inch tall, with long blonde hair and blue eyes.
Hinninbotham graduated from Spain Park High School and is currently enrolled at Auburn University, where he studies environmental engineering.
