American Student Vanishes in Japan While Traveling With Family

An American college student described by his family as "excellent" has vanished while traveling with them in Japan, prompting a desperate search effort that his mother says has left them in a "living hell."

James "Weston" Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student at Auburn State University in Alabama, disappeared in Kyoto on May 29. The family had begun their trip to the country on May 25.

According to his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, James was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with a graphic on the back reading "Save the Bees," lavender corduroy pants, white Adidas sneakers with black stripes, and a shoulder bag featuring the state of Alabama. He is 6ft 1in tall with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

His last confirmed activity was a purchase at a Kohnan hardware store in Kyoto. Following that, he arrived at the Kyoto train station, but his phone lost connection at 8:29 pm local time.

Surveillance footage obtained by police indicates James exited Yamashina Station, located five minutes from his initial point of arrival. It remains unknown whether he boarded another train afterward.

Nancy Higginbotham emphasized that her son was not detained after a night out, a fact confirmed by police. She pleaded with the public for kindness, stating, "Please be kind. We are in our own living hell. He is not detained from a night out partying. The police have confirmed this. Please, I beg you, be kind. I'm already in so much pain."

Her father, Keith Higginbotham, has joined her in the search, and both parents are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The family has requested that people check hotels, cafes, hostels, train stations, stores, and even wooded areas for James. Nancy noted that he is an experienced hiker with a strong sense of direction.

She also asked that if anyone locates James, they should contact local police immediately rather than sharing his location publicly on social media.

"The young man... may have been emotionally distressed," the search website noted.

Despite a typhoon currently affecting the region, Nancy stated she plans to search the woods today with flashlights and headlamps. She explained that she and her husband were unable to travel far the previous night due to wildlife encounters. She invited others to join the search efforts after the storm passes.

A prayer vigil is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 pm at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham for the Higginbotham family. The search website provides multiple contact points, including Nancy's personal email and phone number, as well as the number for the Yamashina Police Station.