For years, David Atkinson from the United Kingdom worked in Japan as a respected financial analyst. His career took an unexpected turn when he became the CEO of one of the country's oldest restoration companies. For hundreds of years, this firm has worked on cultural properties across Japan. In a Japanophiles interview with Peter Barakan, Atkinson introduces examples of the painstaking effort involved. He also speaks about Japanese lacquer, and how he has been trying to revive the industry.

４００年近い歴史を持つ文化財修復会社の社長を務めるイギリス人のデービッド・アトキンソンさんは元金融アナリストという異色のキャリアの持ち主。様々な改革手腕を振い職人の意識改革も行ってきた。アトキンソンさんがいま挑戦しているのが日本古来の塗料「うるし」の生産。修復に必要不可欠な塗料でありながら外国産が主流になっていた。漆産業を再生すべく、専門職人の育成や原木の植林を行う新事業の全貌とその思いを語る。