Search for Missing American Hiker in Japan Hindered by Typhoon

By June 4, 2026 / 7:59 PM EDT / CBS News

Kyoto, Japan — Efforts to locate James “Weston” Higginbotham, a missing hiker from Alabama, have faced delays due to a strong typhoon. Rescue teams are working on the ground and from the air near Kyoto in search of Higginbotham, who vanished after heading to a well-known hiking area solo on May 29.

The 20-year-old engineering student from Auburn University, described by his family as an adept hiker, went missing while on vacation with his family. After having lunch, he traveled by train alone to the trails known for hiking.

When he is going on a trail, that’s where he finds, like, his inner peace, and his quiet time. And it rejuvenates him, and so I’m sure that’s what he did.

These words from his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, convey the family’s understanding of his peaceful connection with hiking.

While his family, including his parents and brother, visited a nearby temple, they tracked him using a family app. They noticed movement on his location tracker that evening but received no reply upon texting him.

Police have identified CCTV footage of Higginbotham departing from the Yamashina train station, marking the last known sighting of him. At this time, he was dressed in a “Save the Bees” T-shirt and lavender pants.

He has survival skills, and I don’t want anyone to doubt that if he is lost in the woods, he is still alive, Nancy Higginbotham has asserted, expressing her belief in her son’s ability to endure.

The Higginbotham family, who had plans to return to Alabama, are resolute in staying in Japan until they find their son. Nancy stated emphatically, We’re not flying home tonight. James’ father, Keith Higginbotham, added, A flight home is hard when you realize there’s one person that may not be on the flight with you.