This parallel reminded me of the employees at NASA, where each individual perceives their role as pivotal. Even the janitor at NASA considers their job as contributing to the monumental task of putting a man on the moon, viewing it as more than just a job. It appears that, for the Japanese, their work ethic transcends all other considerations, and they are unwilling to compromise their ethical standards in their pursuit of excellence, albeit in a (mostly) healthy competitive manner.

However, the film's purpose transcends the mere preservation of a profoundly significant historical period; it also endeavors to evoke a bittersweet sentiment among its viewers. It serves as a poignant reminder that the loss extends beyond a single chapter of history, encompassing an entire generation whose lives were intricately intertwined with the world of fishing and savoring plentiful seafood. This poignant narrative resonates even more powerfully as we witness the impact of globalization, gradually diluting culture, heritage, and tradition. For example, one of the fishmongers who had managed a family business for 130 years expressed his sense of letting down his ancestors, as he realized that his son, an employee, would not continue the family business. This phenomenon is not unique to Tsukiji but is prevalent in developed nations, a consequence of globalization and modernization. A similar dilemma unfolds in Singapore, where hawker culture faces a similar decline. The younger generation, pursuing different aspirations and enticed by greater opportunities for financial success and a better life, forsake family businesses and age-old traditions. This is further exacerbated by the fact that Japanese children are becoming disconnected from the “traditional” world, unfamiliar with fish (and even thinking fishes are fillet) and consuming a diet dominated by globalized foods like instant noodles and burgers.

Furthermore, an underlying aspiration of the film is to share the richness of Japanese culture with audiences worldwide. In my opinion, cultural preservation inherently thrives on the purpose of sharing. Without an audience to appreciate it, one may question the enduring motivation for preservation (although some argue that preservation itself holds personal significance as well).

Drawing a parallel to Singapore's hawker culture, despite the government's earnest efforts to preserve it, one must question whether it is truly being conserved. The generation of hawkers is dwindling, and their children are reluctant to inherit their businesses. Consequently, the government has established hawker centers staffed by employees, often from China and other countries, to prepare Singaporean cuisine. This has inevitably altered the taste and authenticity of the dishes. Thus, when tourists, including those from China, come to experience hawker culture, they might end up consuming food prepared by individuals with a strong influence from their home country. Detractors may argue that there are alternative ways, incentives, and perspectives to preserve the essence of heritage. However, in a world that progresses relentlessly, where education and perspectives evolve, it becomes increasingly challenging. Should we then halt progress altogether? I believe not. In fact, I would contend that each generation possesses its own unique heritage, contributing to the beauty and diversity of our world. Just like a captivating film needs contrasting elements to be truly engaging, our world thrives on the interplay of different traditions and legacies. 

Incorporating interviews with the fishermen would have provided invaluable insights into their processes and the challenges they face. Witnessing their unwavering dedication and hard work would have fostered a deeper appreciation for their occupation and underscored the pivotal role played by the Tsukiji fish market in ensuring their efforts are duly recognized. Although the film touched upon this aspect through dialogues with the intermediate wholesalers (who did their jobs well as they wanted to honor the efforts of the fishermen), it would have been more impactful to delve further into the fishermen's experiences, emphasizing the market's location and organizational structure in facilitating the timely delivery and preservation of fresh catches for restaurants and ultimately the customers' satisfaction.

While it may be argued that interviewing customers is a stretch, it could have provided valuable insights. Through these interviews, we could have gained a profound understanding of the significance customers place on the processes at Tsukiji in terms of their confidence in consuming seafood. Their trust in the market's ability to consistently deliver fresh fish would influence their purchasing decisions (and thus the price/premium that they are willing to pay), thereby impacting the profitability of the entire supply chain. Such insights would have been instrumental in ensuring the market's competitiveness in an increasingly modernized and cost-driven industry.

Furthermore, it would have been captivating to hear people's thoughts on the relocation of the market. Although discussed in class where the film crew might have been restricted in terms of what they could ask or reveal, they could have considered interviewing individuals who were no longer at the market but had worked there in the past, particularly retirees. Gathering perspectives from these individuals would have shed light on their experiences and added depth to the discussion surrounding the market's relocation - such as what the market means to them, the necessity of the market to their lives, as well as the quality control of seafood.

My point of view changed after watching the movie is that Japanese people think community is more important than I think. I knew that Japan was an individualistic society. Therefore, it was surprising that people who used the Tsukiji Market felt a sense of homogeneity and community toward each other and valued each other's trust.

Tsukiji Market has been maintained for a long time and its own culture is formed within it, and the traditionality of the market is noteworthy. And the culture of the market, where selling very good quality fish and simply buying and selling fish is not only important, but also trust between sellers and buyers is more important, gives us a sense of why the market has been maintained for a long time. Because of the excellence of this culture and tradition, I think it is the main objective of this movie to promote this.

Progress can be made while maintaining heritage and the balance between the two can be sufficiently balanced.

I think it is a greater progress to combine each strength and leave heritage rather than choose between heritage and progress.

It highlights the relationships between the market's various stakeholders, such as the fishermen, wholesalers, and restaurant owners, and explores their shared passion for seafood and dedication to their craft. 

It's a natural ecosystem that reveals Japanese culture and the values of the Japanese people within the world of the marketplace. (Minji Lee)

This serves as one important "recording". Given the value of this market as a cultural heritage site, this can be an important historical record. In fact, the director who made the film said that he made it as a gift to the future, when rumors were circulating that the Tsukiji Market was going to disappear. The Tsukiji Market has undergone some changes in the modern era, including the separation of the outdoor market from the indoor market. But the spirit of Japanese culture still lives on in this market. I think that's what Endo wanted to capture, to make it as vivid as it is, and to leave it as a meaningful record. 
(Minji Lee)

However as a dream factory, perhaps it would be helped with a more balanced view of possible struggles faced by the workers there?

After watching, I wondered how did they picked people to interview? 
These people are very passionate, with generational legacies in the business. However, were there also less glamorous aspects of the fish market not captured? 

For example,

Maybe a more balanced view, in this sense of providing perspectives about some of the wrestles and struggles as part of the job (as with any other job we do on earth), can actually make the film more impactful in possibly allowing the audience to consider the power of these intangibles (passion, relationships, the craft) in helping them actually overcome / overlook the menial mundanity of work?

Maybe the “progress” and the way it evolves spaces around us, could be a reflection of heritage too, an evolving heritage.

Yet it would still be important to preserve “previous” heritages, but perhaps insofar as it is “relevant to understand contemporary social life” (quoting bestor).

Additionally, it also served as a mirror, reflecting certain, mainly positive realities of the market. 

It could have also served as a healing tool, for those feeling the grief and loss of the space. This film provides a medium for their nostalgia to find its expression. 

Possibly, it could also be a dream, a way of life (faithfulness, relational work ethics, trust, quality, passion etc.) pitched for the new tsukiji market and the next generation of japanese to emulate after. An intangible cultural element to treasure 

This film informed me about the cultural landscape of japan through the lens of its fish industry. Although with minimal “smart” elements (in a data and tech sense) in Tsukiji market, yet still a very smart place (in its most authentic sense), where people were actively observing, sensing information (“data”) about the fish, consolidating information, strategising their auction bids (“making data-driven decisions”), communicating (“transferring”) information… etc using efficient ways / tools to deal with the fish. 

All these “data collection and transferrance” were done not motivated by electricity for optimal efficiency but rather willingly, intentionally done with “care” from the heart (albeit maybe not entirely, but desired and aimed to be), done with a desire to honor others - the fishermen who sacrifice their life to get those massive tuna, the customers who trusts them with the fish, the cook who is looking forward to creating top notch sushi … etc.