Tokyo Chorus

A group of young men attend school drills under the supervision of Mr. Omura. Shinji Okajima misbehaves and upsets his teacher, earning a sharp reprimand. After the disruption, the drills resume and the routine continues as planned.

The students graduate and move into the working world. Okajima eventually becomes an insurance salesman and starts a family, marking his rise from student life to adult responsibilities. The transition signals a new chapter in their lives.

On the day of their annual bonuses, the men feel anxious about their finances and the future. Okajima's young son dreams of owning a bicycle, not just toys. The money concerns begin to shape family dynamics.

After receiving his bonus, Okajima writes a list of presents for his wife and son, revealing his priorities and hopes for a better life. The list underscores the strain between financial limits and family happiness. The mood at home mixes caution with tenderness.

Yamada, a coworker, is laid off after his last two clients die soon after signing policies. The layoff underscores the precarious nature of their jobs and increases fear among the workers. Okajima begins to recognize the fragility of their livelihoods.

Okajima invites his coworkers to protest at least once to the boss, hoping to draw attention to their plight. The others back down, and one coworker challenges Okajima to lead the protest himself. The moment tests his resolve and leadership.

Okajima accepts the challenge and confronts the boss inside the office. The confrontation turns into a comedic yet heated fight. By the end, Okajima is fired and leaves the building with a bow.

Okajima returns home bearing a scooter for his son, hoping to bring joy. The child responds with disappointment and a tantrum, highlighting the strain of their changed fortunes. The moment deepens the family’s emotional tension.

Sugako comes back from the market and tries to soothe their upset child while Choujo explains what happened at work. The family begins to process the layoff and its impact on their daily life. Emotions run high as they share their versions of the day.

Sugako scolds Okajima for lying to their child, and he shows the discharge notice to confront the reality of unemployment. They discuss changing their plans and accepting a more modest future. The moment marks a shift from pride to practical resilience.

Despite the setback, the family still clings to the hope for a better life and seems to obtain a bike for the son, signaling a small, hopeful compromise. The scene demonstrates resilience and a willingness to adapt. The family finds a momentary balm in a tangible symbol of progress.

Okajima reconnects with his former teacher Omura, who now runs a café called The Calorie Café. Omura offers Okajima a temporary job holding a banner and passing out flyers, a role he accepts for his family’s sake. Sugako, though worried, decides to join him in this new venture.

During a gathering at the café, Omura invites his old schoolmates to a meeting. A letter from the Ministry of Education arrives, offering Okajima a job teaching English in a small rural girls’ school. The prospect brings cautious hope to the family.

Okajima and Sugako decide to pursue the teaching job offer. They return to the dining room as the final student arrives late, and the group breaks into song in a moment of communal celebration. The scene closes on a hopeful note for the couple’s future.