A childhood friend who reconnected with American college student James “Weston” Higginbotham just days before his mysterious disappearance in Japan is raising urgent fears that the 20-year-old may have ventured into the mountains for a solo hike — only to be caught off guard by treacherous weather and possible injury.

Weston, a junior studying biosystems engineering at Auburn University in Alabama, vanished on May 29, 2026, while on a family vacation in Kyoto celebrating his younger brother’s high school graduation. The family had been traveling together for several days, but tensions reportedly surfaced during the extended trip. According to his mother Nancy, Weston appeared emotionally distressed and expressed a desire for some time alone.

On the evening of May 29, Weston left the family hotel around 6 p.m., boarded a train from Kyoto Station, and was captured on CCTV disembarking at Yamashina Station. He was last seen walking alone around 8 p.m. along a path leading directly toward forested hiking trails in the mountainous area near Bishamondo and Mount Otowa. He wore a distinctive gray or white “Save the Bees” T-shirt, lavender corduroy pants, and carried a shoulder bag. Shortly after, he turned off his phone’s location sharing — a move his family says was completely out of character.

His childhood friend, who had a chance encounter with Weston in Japan just days earlier, shared deep concerns that the passionate outdoorsman may have decided on an impromptu hike. Familiar with Weston’s love for nature and hiking experience, the friend worries he could have sustained an injury on the trails before a powerful storm — Typhoon Jangmi — brought heavy rains, strong winds, and dangerous conditions to the Kyoto region. The timing has amplified fears, as search teams later battled waist-high mud and challenging terrain.

Japanese police, along with K-9 units and helicopters, launched an extensive search in the forested areas east of Kyoto. Despite the massive effort involving dozens of officers and local volunteers, no trace of Weston has been found as the search enters its second week. Authorities note it is highly probable he left intentionally to gain some space from family, but they remain deeply concerned for his safety given his unfamiliarity with the area, limited Japanese language skills, and the severe weather that followed.

Weston is described as 6’1” tall with long blonde hair, an athletic build from his vegan lifestyle and triathlon training, and a kind, adventurous spirit. Friends and family highlight his deep respect for the environment and enthusiasm for exploring natural landscapes. His parents, who have remained in Kyoto coordinating with authorities and the U.S. Embassy, continue to plead for public assistance and any sightings.

As fears mount over what might have happened on those remote trails — a slip, an injury leaving him unable to call for help, or being stranded as the storm intensified — the family clings to hope that Weston’s outdoor skills will help him survive. The case has captured international attention, with many wondering whether a simple desire for solitude during a family vacation turned into a life-threatening ordeal in Japan’s rugged wilderness. Anyone with information is urged to contact Kyoto Prefectural Police immediately.