Posted on Tuesday 12th August 2025
Celebration and relief took hold in Staffordshire 80 years ago, including in Yarnfield
People in Staffordshire are warmly invited to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, marking Japan’s surrender in the Second World War.
On Friday 15 August, at the National Memorial Arboretum, a special Commemorative Event will mark the day - eight decades after Emperor Hirohito of Japan announced his nation’s surrender and brought the six-year global conflict to an end. While the Armed Forces Memorial at the arboretum will be closed to the public, visitors can view a screening of the event on the arboretum grounds. An accessible Park & Ride facility will be in operation for all visitors, and pre-booking of car or motorcycle parking via the website is essential to guarantee entry.
At the Staffordshire History Centre on 19 August at 1pm, staff will be giving a short talk about its ginkgo tree – thought to have been gifted as a sapling by the Japanese to an SCC business delegation to Hiroshima in the early 1990s. The tree species, notable for being one of the few plants to survive the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War, has since served as a symbol of both peace and remembrance of the horrors of nuclear weapons.
The Victory over Japan events follow a series of celebrations in May for Victory in Europe Day.
Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“As we celebrate VJ Day and the relief it brought to millions after six years of warfare, we must remember the terrible toll that came even in that victory.
“There’s lots of events taking place and we’re encouraging people to get involved in commemorating this important moment in world history. Whether people are attending a special service, talk or parade, there are many ways to remember VJ Day and pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
“The Staffordshire History Centre’s ginkgo tree and the enlightening talk that will be given by the centre’s staff on 19 August serve as another reminder of the terrible cost of war. We pause to remember the innocent lives lost, including those who died to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and hope that such measures are never needed again.”
Staffordshire continues to have strong links to the armed forces, and the county council is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. The authority was also awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Gold Award for its ongoing support of the employment of former soldiers.
Further details on VJ Day celebrations are available on the VE and VJ Day webpage.
To find out more about the ginkgo tree from Hiroshima, you can watch our short video explaining its origins and meaning.