Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJames Higginbotham's family have been on vacation in Japan since 25 May (Facebook/Nancy Higginbotham)James "Weston" Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, went missing on May 29 during a family vacation in the Kyoto area of Japan. His parents, Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, are actively involved in the search, describing their situation as "living hell" and suggesting he may have intentionally chosen a quiet hiking trail. Police tracked his movements to Yamashina Station, and he was last seen wearing a white "Save the Bees" shirt, lavender corduroy pants, and Adidas shoes, carrying a shoulder bag labeled "Alabama". Concerns are heightened by a major storm, Jangmi, heading towards the Kyoto region, while Higginbotham, an environmental engineering student, is known as an experienced hiker and navigator. The family has expressed deep gratitude for the widespread support from friends, the government, and strangers, and remains hopeful as search-and-rescue efforts continue. In fullMissing Alabama student’s parents are in ‘living hell’ after he vanished on Japan vacationThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in