Alabama Student, 20, Missing in Japan After Seeking Space Following Family Dispute

The disappearance of an American college student in Japan has left his family in distress, as they reveal details of a disagreement that preceded his vanishing. James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student from Auburn University, was last seen in Kyoto on May 29.

The trip to Japan was meant to be a joyful occasion, celebrating his younger brother’s graduation. However, it took a troubling turn when Higginbotham, described by his family as ’emotionally distressed,’ went missing.

His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, shared with Fox News the circumstances leading up to his disappearance. A family argument had erupted, leading to a mutual decision to part ways temporarily. “We decided to separate,” Nancy explained. “We had been, you know, kind of bickering with each other, and we decided, you go do your own thing, we do our thing.”

This insight into family dynamics adds a layer of complexity to the mysterious case, as the search for the missing student continues. His family remains hopeful for his safe return, grappling with the emotional weight of the situation.

‘We decided to separate. We had been, you know, kind of bickering with each other, and we decided, you go do your own thing, we do our thing,’ Nancy told Fox News. 

‘I mean he’s 20 years old, he’s extremely well-traveled, he’s a wonderful navigator, and so we went to the temples, and then he went by the river,’ she added. 

Nancy described ‘bickering’ as normal, with the family sharing twin beds in a hotel room for six days together. She said he ‘just needed time by himself,’ and that his ‘happy place is going on a trail or just going on a hike.’ 

As the search for her son nears a week, Nancy made an emotional plea, telling CNN: ‘I need him back because a family of three is not the Higginbotham’s, we’re a family of four.’ 

James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, 20, was last seen in Kyoto on May 29. His parents have since revealed that the family was ‘bickering’ before he went off on his own

James (far right) traveled to the country with his family to celebrate his younger brother’s graduation

After his disappearance, James’ family was able to track him down on Life360, an app that allows families to track their locations, Nancy said. 

It showed that James, who also goes by Weston, was by a river, visited a few stores, and then boarded a local train before his location went ‘completely dark,’ she stated. 

He was last seen on surveillance footage getting off a train at the Yamashina Station on Tuesday morning. 

On Wednesday, Nancy and her husband, Keith, shared a heartbreaking video on social media amid the search for their child. 

The couple thanked everyone who had offered support for their ‘thoughts and prayers,’ with Nancy adding, ‘We truly feel them.’ 

‘We do feel the love and the support that you guys have given us and that the community in Japan has given us as well.

‘Every time that you guys repost on social media, it’s an opportunity for somebody in Japan to see it,’ Nancy continued, explaining that their ‘ultimate goal is for people in Japan to see Weston’s face so they can report back to us.’

James (left) was described as being ’emotionally distressed’ when he went missing

The parents encouraged people to continue sharing their posts about Higginbotham on social media as it is a ‘chance for somebody in Japan to see it.’

‘That’s our ultimate goal, for people in Japan to see Weston’s face, so that they can report back to us. It’s just been instrumental,’ Nancy said.

‘If you know Weston, you know what a great kid he is. He has a heart of gold, and we all want him to come back safely.’

Keith then said that the support they have received on social media thus far has gotten them ‘closer and closer to finding him.

‘We’re confident we’re going to find him because of everybody’s help and posting, and getting the word out so we can find the person who’s gonna find him.’

James was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with a graphic on the back that reads ‘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 that was made to help people search for him. 

James was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with a graphic on the back that reads ‘Save the Bees’, lavender corduroy pants, and white Adidas sneakers with black stripes

The young man, who is 6ft 1in tall, also has long blonde hair, blue eyes. 

His family and friends have requested that people in the area search hotels, cafes, hostels, train stations, stores, and even the ‘deep woods’ for their son.

His heartbroken mother also noted for people not to publicly share her son’s location if they locate him, and to instead call local police ‘immediately’ before messaging her. 

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. 

Locals have also been standing at the train station he was last seen at, passing our missing flyers and spreading the word about his disappearance.