Auburn University Student Remains Missing in Japan as Search Efforts Continue

WHO:

CBS News US - James "Weston" Higginbotham is a 20-year-old Auburn University student who is missing.

NBC News - The parents of James "Weston" Higginbotham are involved in the search efforts.

WHAT:

CBS News US - James "Weston" Higginbotham went missing last week during a family vacation in Japan.

NBC News - Japanese police conducted searches through waist-high mud in their efforts to locate the missing student.

WHERE:

CBS News US - The area near Kyoto, Japan, is known for its hiking trails where Higginbotham was last seen.

NBC News - The search efforts are taking place in Japan.

WHEN:

CBS News US - The search for Higginbotham has been ongoing since he went missing last week.

NBC News - The search efforts were reported to be ongoing on Thursday.

WHY:

NBC News - The parents of Higginbotham expressed optimism about their son's potential rescue despite the ongoing search challenges.

HOW:

NBC News - Rescue teams are utilizing search methods that include trudging through difficult terrain, such as waist-high mud.

(UPDATED June 5, 2026 01:42 UTC)

James "Weston" Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student from Auburn University, is currently missing after disappearing last week during a family vacation in Japan, with his parents actively participating in the search efforts. Japanese police are conducting searches in the area near Kyoto, known for its hiking trails, and rescue teams are facing challenges as they navigate through waist-high mud. Despite these difficulties, Higginbotham's parents remain optimistic about the potential for their son's rescue.