In this week’s news, we report on the search for missing American college student James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham. A bear injures four people in Fukushima. The number of babies born in Japan to Japanese nationals hits a record low. A Yamazaki 50-Year-Old sets a record as the most expensive Japanese whisky ever sold at auction. Arashi play their final concert. And Munetaka Murakami is named the American League Rookie of the Month for May.
Family Argument Before American Student Went Missing in Japan
The search for missing American college student James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham continues. The 20-year-old from Alabama disappeared while on a trip to Japan with his family. He was last seen in Kyoto on May 29 wearing lavender pants, a ‘Save the Bees’ T-shirt, and white sneakers. CCTV footage showed him walking alone in the city’s Yamashina area at around 8 p.m. that evening.
According to his mother, Nancy, there had been a family argument over her use of ChatGPT before he disappeared. “It’s not unusual for Weston to blow off steam, going to the woods and just exploring,” she told CNN. “That’s his happy place. I’m thinking … he’s just off in the woods, and he got lost.” She added that they would not leave Japan until he is found.
Bear Escapes From Factory After Unlocking Window
At least four people were injured after a bear rampaged through the Sasakino district of Fukushima on Tuesday. The animal entered the grounds of casting manufacturer Fukushima Steel Works Co. in the morning, attacking two male workers. It then injured an elderly woman in her 80s at a nearby residence, and a 66-year-old male security guard at electronics manufacturer Oki Sympho-Tech. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
Following the attacks, the bear stayed inside the Oki Sympho-Tech factory. It remained active after being struck by a tranquilizer dart and later escaped the premises by unlatching a window. Fukushima Mayor Yuki Baba said a tranquilizer gun was used instead of a hunting rifle due to “safety concerns,” as there were “flammable materials at the site.” At the time of writing, the bear has not been caught.
Composite image design by Victoria Bennett
Japan Births Hit Record Low as Population Decline Deepens
According to government data released on Wednesday, the number of babies born in Japan to Japanese nationals in 2025 fell to a record low of 671,236. At the same time, the nation’s total fertility rate — the average number of children a woman is estimated to have in her lifetime — also dropped 0.01 percentage point to a new low of 1.14, continuing a long-term decline.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said that births fell by 14,937, or 2.2%, marking the 10th consecutive year of decline. The number of births first dropped below 700,000 in 2024. The continued fall comes despite earlier projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, which forecast that annual births would not fall into the 670,000 range until the 2040s.
Image: Bonhams
Yamazaki 50-Year-Old Sets Record as Most Expensive Japanese Whisky Ever Sold at Auction
On Saturday, a Club Natsume edition of the Yamazaki 50-Year-Old became the most expensive Japanese whisky ever sold at auction. It fetched HK$8.25 million (US$1.05 million or ¥168 million) at Bonhams Hong Kong, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of US$360,000–$530,000. The price was 30% higher than the previous record for a Japanese whisky, set by a Yamazaki 55 in August 2020.
The Yamazaki 50-Year-Old is among the rarest and most celebrated Japanese single malts ever released. This particular bottle was created as a private gift to mark the 50th anniversary of Club Natsume, an exclusive members’ club in Nagoya, and was never intended for commercial sale. It features a distinctive washi paper label and bears the signature of Suntory Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo.
Arashi’s Final Concert Sparks Online Debate After Fan Chooses Show Over Father’s Wake
After nearly three decades together, Arashi played their final concert on Sunday evening to a sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Dome. The three-and-a-half-hour show featured 33 songs, including the group’s eponymous debut single and their latest release, “Five.” Other popular tracks performed on the night included “Love so Sweet,” “Happiness” and “Whenever You Call,” Arashi’s first all-English song, written by Bruno Mars.
The depth of feeling surrounding Arashi’s farewell concert was evident not only in the tributes shared online, but also in the lengths some fans went to in order to attend the show. Posting on Threads, a husband wrote that his wife chose the concert over her father’s wake. The post sparked widespread debate over fandom, family obligations and personal priorities. It was reposted on X, garnering more than 37 million views.
Munetaka Murakami Named AL Rookie of the Month for May
On Wednesday, Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami was named the American League Rookie of the Month for May. He hit eight home runs and drove in 18 RBIs across 26 games during the month. The former Yakult Swallows player now has 20 home runs for the season, placing him third on the overall leaderboard. He is currently on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
In men’s football, Japan defeated Iceland 1-0 in their send-off match before the 2026 World Cup. Koki Ogawa scored a late winner for the Samurai Blue in front of a crowd of 62,212 at the National Stadium. In the women’s game, Aoba Fujino scored for Manchester City in their 4-0 FA Cup final win over Brighton. Ayaka Yamashita and Yui Hasegawa also played for the Sky Blues.
