Family seeks help in search for Alabama 20-year-old missing in Japan

The search for James “Weston” Higginbotham, an Alabama man who went missing in Japan, has entered its sixth day. Supporters have already raised more than $32,000 to assist the family in their desperate efforts to locate the 20-year-old.

Weston Higginbotham, an honors graduate of Spain Park High School, disappeared on May 29. He was visiting Japan with his family to celebrate his brother Grayton’s high school graduation.

Mobilizing Resources for the Search

As Nancy, Keith, and Grayton Higginbotham coordinate with local Japanese authorities, a GoFundMe campaign organized by Lindsay Williams is providing critical financial support. The funds are earmarked for essential search operations, including the hiring of experienced local guides, specialized equipment, transportation, and personnel familiar with the rugged terrain.

"This fundraiser has been established to help offset those search-related expenses and allow Weston’s family to focus their energy where it belongs: bringing Weston home," Williams stated. "Every donation, no matter the amount, will help provide support for search efforts and related local resources in Japan."

The Ongoing Investigation

Weston, an environmental engineering student at Auburn University, is described by his mother, Nancy, as an excellent, well-traveled navigator. According to a post in the Kyoto Expats and Internationals Facebook group, he was last seen wearing a "Save the Bees" white t-shirt, lavender corduroy pants with large cuffs, and worn-out white Adidas sneakers with black stripes. He was also carrying a shoulder bag featuring the state of Alabama.

The search efforts have been intense. Nancy reported that Japanese police recently conducted an extensive sweep through waist-high mud, utilizing helicopters and search dogs. While the family was required to stay in their apartment during that operation, she praised the authorities for their professional and meticulous approach to the search.

"The area where we believe Weston is missing has ample water and limited berries," Nancy wrote. "There is still hope." Authorities are now regrouping to analyze additional CCTV footage and deploy a specialized team into the forest. Because Weston may be in a state of emotional distress, his family urges anyone who spots him to refrain from posting his exact location publicly. Those who wish to contribute to the ongoing search efforts can donate via the official GoFundMe page.