Auburn University Student Reported Missing in Japan
A search effort is underway in Kyoto, Japan after a Spain Park High School graduate went missing while visiting the country with family.
By WBRC Digital Staff and Shane Trail
Published: Jun. 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM GMT+2 | Updated: Jun. 4, 2026 at 1:03 AM GMT+2
A frantic search is on for a Hoover native and Auburn University student, Weston Higginbotham, who has been missing in Japan since Friday, May 29.
Support and Search Efforts
The Japanese government, authorities, and citizens have united to assist in the search and support the family. Alabama state representatives, the FBI, the U.S. Embassy, and community members in Alabama have also offered their help.
The Trip
According to Nancy Higginbotham, the family arrived in Japan on Friday, May 22, to celebrate one of their children's academic achievements.
“Our family just has this thing where we’ve always told the kids, ‘If you make straight A’s throughout high school, you can pick anywhere in the world you want to go,’” she shared. Their younger son, a straight-A student, chose Japan, leading them on a wonderful family trip.
They visited Tokyo and several other places before reaching Kyoto, where Weston went missing.
The Day He Disappeared
Nancy described Weston as an experienced traveler and good navigator, capable of exploring independently. He is also adept at using public transportation and is physically fit.
CCTV footage showed Weston getting off a train in Yama. He was last seen in the Kiyomizu-dera area.
The Search Continues
The Higginbotham family is grateful for the overwhelming support during this difficult time. They are appealing to anyone with information about Weston's whereabouts to come forward.