{"id":1102,"date":"2026-06-03T05:47:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T05:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=1102"},"modified":"2026-06-03T05:47:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T05:47:38","slug":"auburn-university-student-goes-missing-in-japan-as-parents-join-urgent-search-living-in-our-own-hell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=1102","title":{"rendered":"Auburn University student goes missing in Japan as parents join ‘urgent’ search: \u2018Living in our own hell\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

An Auburn University student went missing in Japan and now his parents \u2014 who are \u201cliving in our own hell\u201d \u2014 raced across the world to join the desperate search for their son, according to a report.<\/p>\n

Read more Trump\u2019s pick for Iowa governor Randy Feenstra concedes election to Zach Lahn\u00a0\u2014 breaking president\u2019s endorsement streak<\/a><\/p>\n

James \u201cWeston\u201d Higginbotham, 20, disappeared on May 29 after traveling to Kyoto\u2019s Yamashina Ward in the eastern part of the city, likely for the hiking trails, his parents told AL.com.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe may be emotionally distressed, so this is urgent,\u201d his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, wrote on social media. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you see him, please do not post his exact location publicly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Higginbotham was last seen wearing a white shirt with a graphic that reads \u201csave the bees,\u201d lavender corduroy pants and Adidas sneakers with black stripes.<\/p>\n

He was also carrying a tote bag with the outline of the state of Alabama.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease be kind,\u201d his mom continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are living in our own hell. He is not detained from a night out partying. The police have confirmed this. Please, I beg you, be kind. I\u2019m already in so much pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Higginbotham\u2019s phone location turned off when he disembarked from a train in Yamashina Ward in the eastern part of the city.<\/p>\n

Weston is described by his parents \u2014 who are searching for him themselves in Japan \u2014 as a well-traveled \u201cexcellent navigator\u201d and experienced hiker, according to AL.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read more Joe Biden crashes Jill\u2019s book talk, steals spotlight to ask who she loves the most in incredibly cringey moment<\/a><\/p>\n

Nancy chairs the Japan Legislative Exchange in the House of Representatives, and asserted that \u201cJapan is one of the safest countries in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIts people are some of the friendliest and most helpful you\u2019ll ever meet. They are masters at collaboration in times of crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

A prayer vigil will take place in Birmingham at Asbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alabama State Representatives Mike Shaw and Susan DuBose have contacted Mark B. Jackson, Honorary Consul General of Japan as well as the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand that the appropriate resources are engaged and searching for Weston,\u201d Shaw told AL.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s all pray for Weston\u2019s safe return, for strength and peace for his family, and for wisdom and endurance for everyone involved in the search.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more \u201860 Minutes\u2019 star Scott Pelley fired from CBS News after blasting Bari Weiss in heated showdown<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Auburn University student who went missing in Japan may have been emotionally stressed before his May 29 disappearance, according to a report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"yoast_head":"\nAuburn University student goes missing in Japan as parents join 'urgent' search: \u2018Living in our own hell\u2019 - Metro Transit Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=1102\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Auburn University student goes missing in Japan as parents join 'urgent' search: \u2018Living in our own hell\u2019 - 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