Seeds from Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor tree take root in Leicester

Seeds from trees which survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima have taken root in Leicester in time for the 80^th anniversary of VJ Day.

The seeds have been gifted to the city by the Mayors for Peace organisation, which has worked closely with the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to distribute seeds from survivor trees around the world.

Hiroshima was reduced to ashes by a single atomic bomb on August 6 1945. Three days later, Nagasaki suffered massive destruction from a second atomic bomb. More than 200,000 people lost their lives as a result.

The bombings led to the declaration of Victory Over Japan Day, known as VJ Day, which, in effect, led to the ending of the Second World War. The 80^th anniversary of VJ Day falls on Friday 15 August 2025.

Leicester City Council accepted the offer of the seeds, which were harvested from a ginkgo tree which stands in the Shukkeien Garden, in Hiroshoma, and survived the atomic bombing.

The council entrusted the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden team to plant and look after the seeds, earlier this year, and six have successfully germinated.

Once the saplings have become hardy, one will be planted in the Botanic Garden, while the remaining trees will be offered to community organisations and schools across the city.

Sir Peter said: “In Japan, the trees that miraculously survived the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are called ‘hibaku’ – or survivor trees.

“The fact that green shoots and new life could emerge from such devastation is an extraordinary symbol of hope – but as we approach the 80^th anniversary of VJ Day, I hope that the ginkgo saplings that will grow from these hibaku seeds will also become a lasting symbol of peace here in Leicester.”

Professor Canagarajah said: “The University is truly honoured and humbled to have been chosen to grow and nuture these precious seeds on behalf of the city of Leicester.

“I hope the saplings will grow strong and tall, and serve as living memorials to the people who lost their lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and a reminder about the futility of war.”

A service of reflection will take place at Leicester Cathedral on the eve of the 80^th anniversary of VJ Day. All are welcome to attend the civic service on Thursday 14 August at 5:30pm.

A flag commemorating the anniversary will fly from the Town Hall from Thursday afternoon (14 August) until Monday 18 August, while a floral display and a book of remembrance will also be available.

At Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, a rare poster from 1945 is on display as part of the ‘Popping to the Shops’ exhibition. The poster advertises a VJ Concert, deliberately delayed until November 1945 to allow those returning from Asia to take part.

At the Central Library on Bishop Street until Saturday (16 August), people can drop in and create a Japanese origami Peace Crane and learn about the legend of Senbazuru ­– the Japanese tradition that promises a wish to anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes. The Peace Crane Story will be read by storyteller Hema Acharya at 2pm on Wednesday (13 August).

Those wishing to find out more about VJ Day in Leicester will find a themed display of books at the Central Library, while the personal stories of soldiers from Leicester who were sent to East Asia during the war can be found on a brand new web page. Photographs, letters and archive images have been published on the Story of Leicester website at storyofleicester.info to mark the 80^th anniversary.

The Botanic Garden Festival takes place on Sunday 31 August – more details on the website.