Japanese citizens will join the arduous search for an American missing in a mountainous forest. A week-long search for James “Weston” Higginbotham has yielded no signs of the 20-year-old. Now, with permission from Japanese police, the student’s family has made a public call. Experienced hikers should assist in the search across treacherous and difficult terrain. That search will begin next Saturday with local volunteers and desperate family members.
Weston is a student at Auburn University who was in Japan with his family. The young man was traveling to celebrate his younger brother’s high school graduation in May. He disappeared on May 29 following an argument with his mother at the location. He went out on his own and the location app on his phone was immediately disabled.
He was last seen in CCTV footage walking alone near the border. The location corresponds to the border between the prefectures of Kyoto and Shiga in central Japan. He was walking on a path that led to a hiking trail in the nearby forests. Local police have searched the area including the densely forested Higashiyama mountain range.
What Challenges Does the Search Face?
Local police have searched the area that includes the densely forested Higashiyama mountain range. After a typhoon struck the area this week, officers returned covered in mud. Weston’s father, Keith Higginbotham, told CNN on Friday that officers were covered in mud up to their waists. This extreme condition makes finding any sign of the missing young man in the forest enormously difficult.
Over time, police had to reduce the resources allocated to the official search. Weston’s mother, Nancy, explained that police resources were progressively limited. So Nancy went to the Shiga police station to request permission to coordinate a civilian event. She needed to coordinate a search and rescue event with volunteer Japanese citizens.
They were experiencing severe communication problems during the coordination process with authorities local. Nancy checked her WhatsApp looking for the last person who said they would translate for her. Within 30 minutes, they were at the Shiga police station translating for Nancy immediately. Then they drove her to Kyoto prefecture to inspect the area. Finally, they drove her back to her Airbnb in emergency family conditions.
How Has the Japanese Community Responded to the Family’s Call?
The outpouring of support in Japan has been overwhelming both in person and on digital platforms. A verified GoFundMe account supporting search efforts has raised over $40,000. The anonymous donor contributed $25,000 of the $40,000 raised total. Nancy Higginbotham said people have been incredible during this desperate family crisis.
She is especially moved by volunteers who offered to help in the search across difficult terrain. A man saw the cry for help for people to come tomorrow to the forest. He is in Tokyo and will close his business for a week to come help. Nancy explained that he wanted to do this because when he was in the United States, many people helped him.
This volunteer said this is him returning the favor to the American community. Nancy Higginbotham said the generosity of this unknown Japanese citizen gave her chills. She is very grateful for any help.
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