An 'excellent' American college student has gone missing while on a family trip in Japan. James 'Weston' Higginbotham's last confirmed location was in Kyoto, a major tourist hotspot, on May 29, according to his distraught loved ones.
Details of the Disappearance
The 20-year-old, who attends Alabama's Auburn State University, traveled to Japan with his family starting on May 25, his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, said in a Facebook post. He 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 'with the state of Alabama on it', according to a website set up to assist in the search.
James, who is 6ft 1in tall, has long blonde hair and blue eyes. The website noted that he 'may have been emotionally distressed'. His parents, Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, are currently searching for their missing son in Japan and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Family's Plea
'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,' Nancy wrote online.
His last confirmed purchase was at a Kohnan hardware store in Kyoto. He then arrived at Kyoto train station, but his phone lost connection around 8.29pm local time, according to the website.
Surveillance Footage
Surveillance footage obtained by police showed James getting off at Yamashina Station, which is five minutes from the first train, Nancy said on Monday night (7am Tuesday in Japan). 'It is unknown whether he later got back on a train,' the website detailed.
His family and friends have requested that anyone in the area search hotels, cafes, hostels, train stations, stores, and even the 'deep woods' for their son. According to James' description and his mother's social media posts, he is an 'experienced hiker with an excellent sense of direction.'
Appeal for Privacy
His heartbroken mother also asked people not to publicly share her son's location if they locate him, but to instead call local police 'immediately' before messaging her. She added: 'I know there is a typhoon currently hitting, but I will be there today searching the woods. My husband and I went last night with flashlights and headlamps and didn't get too far because we weren't prepared for the wildlife we encountered. If anyone wants to join us after the storm, I would be grateful.'
How to Help
The website provides multiple contacts to reach out to, including Nancy's personal email and phone number, the number for the Yamashina Police Station, and others. A prayer vigil is being held on Tuesday at 6.30pm at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham for the Higginbotham family.
