Japanese authorities, volunteers and the family of a missing Auburn University student are continuing an intensive search for 20-year-old James “Weston” Higginbotham, an American traveler who was last traced to the Kyoto area and has not been heard from since late May.

Family members say Higginbotham may be emotionally distressed, making the search particularly urgent as authorities work to determine his whereabouts.

The family urges anyone who sees Higginbotham not to post his location publicly but to contact local police immediately.

Higginbotham, an environmental engineering student at Auburn University, was reported missing after his last known phone activity on the evening of May 29. According to his family, investigators have identified his last confirmed location using CCTV and other evidence in the Yamashina area, east of Kyoto.

His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, said Japanese police have deployed significant resources in the search.

“The Japanese police have worked so hard for us thus far,” she wrote in a June 3 social media update. “They have watched endless footage on CCTV cameras throughout the city to find Weston’s last location, which was Yamashina.”

According to the family, approximately 50 police officers, search dogs and helicopters were involved in search operations on June 3 in heavily wooded terrain, including areas around Bishamon-do and Mount Otowa.

“Volunteers came to help and the police worked tirelessly,” Nancy wrote. “We will continue to have hope, and we will find Weston.”

James “Weston” Higginbotham last known movements

Family members said Higginbotham’s last confirmed purchase was made at a Kohnan hardware store in the Kyoto area. His last known phone activity occurred during the evening of May 29, and relatives believe he may have traveled by train afterward.

Investigators have focused significant attention on the Yamashina district, which serves as a transportation hub connecting Kyoto with neighboring Shiga Prefecture and areas surrounding Lake Biwa.

His mother noted that Higginbotham is an experienced traveler and hiker who may have sought out quiet trails and natural areas in the region, specifically highlighting locations including:

• Bishamon-do Temple
• Lake Biwa Canal area
• Misasagi
• Keage and Nanzen-ji
• Kyoto Trail Network
• Mount Otowa
• Daigo and Kami-Daigo areas

Description of John “Weston” Higginbotham

Higginbotham is described as:

• Age: 20
• Height: 185 centimeters (6 feet, 1 inch)
• Hair: Long blonde hair
• Eyes: Blue
• Wears silver hoop earrings

He was last believed to be wearing:

• A shirt with a white front and a back design reading “Save the Bees” with two bumblebees.
• Lavender corduroy pants with a large cuff.
• White Adidas sneakers with black stripes and wide shoelaces.

He was also carrying a shoulder bag featuring the outline of the state of Alabama.

How to help in search efforts

Anyone with information about James “Weston” Higginbotham’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact local Japanese authorities.

The family is also requesting information on possible sightings, CCTV footage, train travel, hotel or hostel stays or other leads that could help investigators.

Family contact information has been provided for tips: