Search Efforts Intensify for Missing Auburn Student in Japan

The family of James “Weston” Higginbotham has published a map highlighting areas already searched by police in Japan, seeking help from locals to find their missing son. Higginbotham disappeared during a family trip to Japan.

Nancy Higginbotham, his mother, shared a Google Maps view of a wooded region in Kyoto’s Yamashina mountains on Facebook. The map features a red circle indicating the searched zone. She urged experienced hikers to assist by exploring areas outside the marked section, particularly in surrounding mountains and remote trails.

The post included a caution for those unfamiliar with Japanese, lacking a map app, without food, lightly dressed, not informing others of their route, or starting hikes in the evening. A local emphasized that foreigners must exercise caution due to potentially dangerous terrain.

Background on Weston Higginbotham

Today marks the seventh day since 20-year-old Higginbotham, an Auburn University student, went missing while on a family vacation in Japan. He was last sighted on May 29 in Kyoto around 8:15 p.m. local time. CCTV confirmed he was at Yamashina Station, according to reports from his mother.

The family, visiting Kyoto, had separated on May 29. Nancy, her husband, and their younger son visited a temple while Higginbotham explored the city independently. Nancy mentioned they felt confident about his safety, as he is an “excellent navigator” and physically fit, having completed an Ironman triathlon.

However, he didn’t respond to their evening texts, and his phone’s live location was disabled, which was unusual for him. By 2 a.m. local time, they alerted the police about his disappearance.

Higginbotham’s disappearance coincided with a typhoon that hit Japan on Wednesday, affecting the Wakayama prefecture significantly with high-level flood warnings and heavy rain in the Yamashina area.

Newsweek has reached out to Nancy Higginbotham by email. Those with information are urged to contact Kyoto police or nearby U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

This story is still unfolding. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.