An Auburn University student who went missing 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 notify local police if anyone found him.
The Higginbotham family believes he may have traveled to the wooded areas or trails near Yamashina because of his love of hiking.
To locate the 20-year-old Hoover native, family and friends are gathering Tuesday evening in Shelby County to hold a prayer vigil.
His family says he made his last purchase at a Kohnan hardware store in the area, with the last phone activity reported as the evening progressed.
Japanese police officials informed the Weston family of the report and that he was not in custody following the night of his disappearance.
According to the latest updates, investigators identified Higginbotham at Yamashina Station, east of Kyoto.
According to his family, security camera footage reviewed by local police officials suggests he arrived at the station around 8:15 p.m. on May 29, 2026.
But it is not known whether he then boarded the train.
Authorities describe Higginbotham as 6 feet 1 inch tall with long blonde hair and blue eyes.
Hinninbotham graduated from Spain Park High School and is currently enrolling at Auburn University to study environmental engineering.
