The Secretariat distributes seeds from hibaku trees, which stand in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as silent witnesses, to member cities. Our aim is to raise public peace consciousness through citizens, so we request member cities to plant them in places where many citizens frequent, and to encourage communities to participate in the nurturing of these trees as a symbol of peace.
List of Recipients of Hibaku Tree Seeds/Seedlings
Distribution of Seeds/Seedlings in total:
113 cities and 4 organizations in 21 countries outside of Japan (as of May 1, 2024)
Requests to Recipient Cities
Mayors for Peace asks each recipient city to accommodate the following requests:
- 1. To raise seeds/seedlings under the care of experts, such as in botanical gardens, until they become tall and sturdy enough to be planted in the ground.
- 2. Provide the Secretariat with updates on development of the trees at least once a year. These updates should include some information on their height, number of seedlings, growing place and a plan/report of peace activities based around them as well as their photos.
Seed Request Process
- 1. [Recipient City] Contact the Secretariat
- If a member city wants to receive seeds from hibaku trees and agrees to accommodate the requests above, please contact the Secretariat by email.
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2. [Mayors for Peace Secretariat] Conduct preparatory research
- a. The Secretariat researches the species of hibaku tree appropriate for the recipient city’s climate
- b. The Secretariat confirms whether or not procedures for quarantine, export and import licenses are required by the sending country and the receiving country.
- 3. [Mayors for Peace Secretariat] Send a questionnaire to the recipient city
- Based on the preparatory research in 2 – a, the Secretariat enters relevant information into the questionnaire and sends it to the recipient city. If quarantine or an import license is required by the receiving country, the Secretariat informs the recipient city of this information at this point.
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4. [Recipient City] Return the questionnaire
- a. The recipient city answers the questionnaire by filling in required information, such as tree species they want to receive, intended care facility (e.g. a botanical garden), and contact information, and returns the questionnaire to the Secretariat.
- b. In the case that a certain procedure is required by the receiving country, the recipient city should contact a domestic quarantine office for their advice on the procedure, then share this information with the Secretariat.
- 5. [Mayors for Peace Secretariat] Send seeds
- Upon confirmation of the returned questionnaire and the completion of required procedure for quarantine and an import license, the Secretariat sends out seeds to the recipient city. Shipping costs are covered by the Secretariat.
Note
When trees from the seeds become tall and sturdy enough to be planted in the ground, the Secretariat can donate an explanatory plaque. Please inform the Secretariat of plans of events involving the tree, such as a planting ceremony. A recipient city can receive one explanatory plaque for each species.
If your city wishes to receive the plaque, please let the Secretariat know by at least two months before the desired delivery date.
Report
After a tree is planted, please submit a report along with photos to the Secretariat.