Auburn student goes missing in Japan, family fear he’s ‘emotionally distressed’

U.S. newsAuburn student goes missing in Japan, family fear he’s ‘emotionally distressed’James “Weston” Higginbotham is a junior studying biosystems engineering at the Alabama college and was last seen in Kyoto.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. Jake Crandall / USA Today Network via ReutersShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 3, 2026, 3:54 PM EDTBy David K. LiAn Auburn University engineering student went missing in Japan, his school said Wednesday, with loved ones fearing he may be “emotionally distressed.”Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, was last seen on May 29 in Kyoto, according to a statement by his mother Nancy Higginbotham.“Auburn University is aware that one of our students, James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, has been reported missing while traveling in Japan,” Auburn vice president Jennifer Wood Adams said in a statement to NBC News.“Our thoughts are with Weston, his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. University officials have reached out to the family and offered support.”Higginbotham, a junior who studies biosystems engineering at the Alabama college, was traveling with his family when he vanished, Auburn said.The student was last spotted at Yamashina Station in Kyoto, according to this mother.“We don’t know if he got back on the train at any point. Weston is a very experienced hiker and this town has beautiful nature trails,” according to his mother’s statement.“He may have intentionally chosen a quiet trail from Yamashina, especially Bishamon-do, Lake Biwa Canal, Misasagi, Keage/Nanzen-ji, Kyoto Trail, Mount Otowa, or Daigo/Kami-Daigo.” “He may be emotionally distressed, so this is urgent,” his mother wrote.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleDavid K. LiSenior Breaking News ReporterAustin Mullen and Jean Lee contributed.