American Student Missing in Japan During Family Vacation; Search Intensifies in Kyoto Mountains

Weston, a resident of the U.S. state of Alabama, has been missing since May 29 after separating from his family during a sightseeing trip. Japanese authorities, volunteers, and U.S. agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are assisting in efforts to locate him.

Family Vacation Turns Into Search Effort

According to his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, the family traveled to Japan on May 22 to celebrate the high school graduation of Weston’s younger brother.

After visiting several cities, including Tokyo, the family arrived in Kyoto, where Weston decided to spend some time exploring on his own while other family members visited a temple.

His mother described him as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed traveling independently and spending time in nature.

Experienced Adventurer

Weston is a third-year environmental engineering student at Auburn University.

Family members say he is an experienced hiker and adventurer who has previously completed solo trekking trips in the Pyrenees. The family regularly participates in outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and white-water rafting.

Last Known Movements

The family was able to track some of Weston’s movements through the location-sharing app Life360.

According to relatives, they observed him boarding a train, visiting several shops, and later taking another train. His phone's location-sharing feature then suddenly stopped transmitting.

Nancy Higginbotham said this was highly unusual, noting that her son had never previously disabled location sharing.

When the family was unable to contact him by 2 a.m., they reported him missing to local authorities.

Search Focused on Forested Mountain Area

Family members said Weston was carrying approximately 10,000 Japanese yen and a mobile phone with about 34 percent battery charge when he disappeared.

Authorities believe he left Kyoto Station around 6 p.m. Local police later identified surveillance footage showing him walking alone in the Yamashina area at approximately 8 p.m.

The route where he was last seen leads toward nearby forests and hiking trails.

Yamashina sits near the border between Kyoto and Shiga Prefecture and is surrounded by densely forested hills and mountains.

Search efforts have been complicated by severe weather after a typhoon brought heavy rainfall to parts of eastern Japan, raising concerns about Weston’s safety if he entered a remote mountainous area.

Extensive Search Underway

Japanese police have deployed dozens of officers, trained search dogs, and a helicopter in the ongoing operation.

Investigators have said there is currently no evidence suggesting criminal activity, and the case is being treated as a missing-person investigation.

U.S. officials, including personnel from the American Embassy and the FBI, are assisting Japanese authorities. Friends, relatives, and volunteers have also joined efforts to spread information and support the search.

Family members have reported no activity on Weston’s bank cards since his disappearance.

Family Remains Hopeful

Speaking about her son, Nancy Higginbotham said every moment is filled with memories of him and expressed her determination to bring him home safely.

“I just want my son back,” she said.

The family has pledged to remain in Japan until Weston is found.

His father, Keith Higginbotham, remains optimistic.

“We believe he is somewhere out there,” he said. “We are going to find him.”

Meanwhile, friends and supporters in Birmingham have gathered for prayer services, hoping for Weston’s safe return as search efforts continue.