TOP | As iZ

( What is As iZ? )

As iZ was established in Japan in 2024, inspired by LOVE Québec, which began in 1993 in Québec, Canada.

The Media Arts Program (MAP), developed by LOVE Québec, has brought many benefits to young people in Québec over the past 32 years. Its effectiveness has been proven by Canadian university research teams. The program helps young people improve their emotional intelligence (EQ) and develop the ability to live with a strong sense of purpose and autonomy.

In today’s Japan, many young people find it difficult to live as their “true selves.”

As iZ provides a safe and judgment-free space where these youth can freely express who they are. It ensures psychological safety and encourages self-expression without fear of being judged.
*The As iZ program is officially licensed by LOVE Québec.

Our Mission

We aim to help young people accept themselves as they are and develop the ability to live happy and fulfilling lives.
We respect the agency (their ability to make their own choices) and support them in taking charge of their own lives.

Through opportunities for self-expression using art, we help nurture emotional intelligence (EQ), which builds confidence and resilience to face life’s challenges without being overwhelmed by stress.

EQ stands for Emotional Intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.
People with high emotional intelligence can regulate their feelings and build healthy relationships. They are also better at managing stress and staying calm during difficult times.

( The Origin of As iZ )

“As is” is an English phrase that means “just the way you are.” We changed the final “s” to “Z” to create “As iZ,” which symbolizes diversity and the idea of “leaving no one behind,” from A to Z.
Our symbol color, yellow, comes from the yellow daisy whose flower language represents “being yourself.”
If you add an “O” to the beginning of “as is,” it becomes “OASIS,” symbolizing a peaceful and comforting place where young people can love themselves as they truly are.
The circle in our logo represents wa (和), the Japanese concept of harmony, as well as emotional connection and unity.

I feel like all of the programs gave me many opportunities to reflect deeply on myself and grow, especially when I was feeling a bit down. I was not good at looking inward or thinking about my own thoughts. But through these activities, I learned to approach those things more casually and openly.

The atmosphere was incredibly warm and welcoming. No matter our age, we were able to speak honestly and express ourselves, and those expressions were always received with kindness. I was also positively influenced to start trying to love myself more.

I experienced many different methods of self-analysis. I discovered sides of myself I had never noticed or even thought about before. In addition, by sharing and receiving feedback from everyone at As iZ, I was able to see parts of myself that I couldn’t see on my own. I really appreciate that without this experience, I wouldn’t have come to those realizations.

Everyone respected my opinions, and the positive energy made it a very comfortable space.
Thank you so much.

It was a lot of fun. I always looked forward to Thursdays. I was honestly disappointed on the days I had to miss it.

Coming soon

GALLERY

Unleash your voice.Own your story.Create your path.
Express.Recognize.Accept.Grow.

Survey of Youth Participants
Who Completed the 12-Week
Media Arts Program (MAP)

In general, Japanese people tend to score relatively high in social awareness.
This reflects a positive trait of being considerate of others. However, it may also suggest that many individuals find it difficult to be their true selves.

After participating in the 12-week Media Arts Program (MAP), not only participants’ social awareness increased by 8%, but their self-awareness also improved by 17%.
This indicates that more young people came to recognize the importance of accepting and expressing themselves just as they are.

( Message from the Executive Director )

In November 2023, I was fortunate to encounter LOVE Québec and the passionate people supporting its mission while staying in Canada for academic research. I was deeply inspired by its philosophy, rich history, and powerful real-world impact. From that moment on, I strongly wished to bring this meaningful initiative to children and youth in Japan. In April 2025, together with friends I met in Montréal, we founded As iZ. We are now working to introduce and establish this program in Japan step by step.

LOVE Québec, founded in Montréal in 1993, provides healing and empathy to children and youth who have experienced challenges such as violence, bullying, discrimination, or family issues. The goal of LOVE is to help them overcome trauma, deepen their self-understanding, and gain the strength to live positively while connecting with others in their communities.

A key feature of the program is the use of media arts such as photography, poetry, and writing as tools for self-expression. This allows young people to freely share their experiences and emotions with their peers. By turning difficult feelings and emotional wounds into creative works, they begin to develop emotional intelligence (EQ), including self-acceptance, empathy, and emotional awareness.

These changes cannot happen through one-time support. It is through ongoing dialogue and building relationships that children and youth are truly able to face themselves and form deeper bonds with others. In Japan, there has been growing interest in creating safe spaces for youth. But I firmly believe that combining these spaces with sustained, transformative practices is essential for supporting the next generation.

As iZ, inspired by the vision of LOVE Québec, aims to offer safe spaces for self-expression and to break the cycle of social isolation. We are committed to helping each young person believe in their potential and take the first steps toward becoming leaders in their communities.
We hope for the day when the As iZ program will reach youth in every corner of Japan. Thank you for your interest and support.

Chizuno Hata

( Message from the Founder )

LOVE Québec, the foundation on which As iZ is built, began in Montréal nearly 30 years ago. Around that time, I started volunteering with the program as a social worker. I joined the efforts to support its founder, Twinkle, under the guidance of Brenda Prue, a photojournalist who helped launch the initiative.
She began by bringing together teenagers who were struggling and asked them a simple but powerful question “What do you want to say to the world?” As the weekly gatherings continued, the youth began to feel more comfortable in the group. They gradually found the courage to speak from deep within their hearts. Through the act of taking photographs, they began to express their emotions. They shared their pain and vulnerable feelings with others, wrote about them in essays, and expressed them through images. Over time, their eyes began to shine with confidence. Even in the midst of hardship, they started to accept themselves.

I was deeply moved by the program’s impact and strongly wished for young people in Japan to have the same opportunity. That desire eventually grew into a dream of developing the program in Japan and now, I am truly delighted to see that dream becoming a reality through As iZ.
Adolescence is a time of struggle and emotional conflict for everyone. I believe that expressing oneself in a positive and creative way is one of the most effective paths to overcoming that pain.
Through this program, I hope that society will move toward one in which all young people can, just as the name As iZ suggests, embrace themselves just as they are.

Satoko Ingram

Name：Yuki Tomoda
Affiliation：McGill University, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry
Specialization：Psychiatrist
( Thoughts on As iZ )
Through my involvement with As iZ, I truly believe in the possibility of creating a future where young people in Japan can recognize the value of their own feelings and thoughts and raise their voices when they need to. Please, don’t hesitate to share your story with us. We’re here to listen.

Name：Robyn Dalton
Affiliation：Executive Director, LOVE (Quebec)
(Comment)
We are so pleased to be supporting the expansion of our innovative programs to Japan, and we greatly value our partnership with As iZ. Their team has successfully drawn upon the strengths of our learning over the last 30 years, and made the adaptations necessary for the programs to resonate for Japanese youth. We are excited to continue to build upon our collaboration and are thrilled to support As iZ as it strives to pursue excellence in youth development.

Name：Takashi Fujioka
Affiliation：Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Human Welfare, Chubu Gakuin University
Professor Emeritus, Japan College of Social Work
Specialization：Child and Family Welfare / Support for Care Providers
(Comment)
As iZ is an innovative program based on a model that originated in Montréal, Canada, and has been thoughtfully adapted for children and youth in Japan. It provides a groundbreaking approach that nurtures the power to live as one’s true self by supporting the development of opinion-forming, self-expression, and the ability to speak out. By offering tailored guidance to each individual, As iZ supports children and young people from the ground up. I sincerely hope to see this program implemented in many support settings across Japan.

名前：Franco A. Carnevale
Franco Carnevale is a psychologist, a nurse, and a clinical ethicist. He is a professor at McGill University with affiliations in Counselling Psychology, the Ingram School of Nursing, the Faculty of Medicine (Pediatrics), and the Department of Equity, Ethics and Policy (School of Population and Global Health). He has clinical affiliations at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, the Shriner's Hospitals for Children (Canada), The Lighthouse, Children and Families, and the Montreal Children's Hospital. Franco is the founder and principal investigator for VOICE: The Childhood Ethics Project, an international initiative to advance knowledge and practices relating to the rights of young people. For many years, Franco has worked with LOVE Quebec as a researcher and advisor and has worked closely with the development of As iZ in Japan. Through his many years of research on LOVE Quebec programs, Franco has published academic articles to demonstrate how these programs are powerfully effective in promoting mental health among youth. These programs provide valuable opportunities to help young people develop their self-understanding as well as relational skills for navigating challenges in their everyday lives.

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A safe space where young people can truly be themselves—for every youth, everywhere.

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Coming soon

COLUMN

Organization Name: General Incorporated Association As iZ
Representative: Chizuno Hata
Established: March 12, 2025
Activities: Education, public awareness, and research related to Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Address: Nihonbashi Mizuno Building 7F 1-11-12 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

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( What Is the Media Arts Program (MAP)? )

This program uses artistic forms such as photography and poetry to create a safe, supportive space for free self-expression.

Just like art has no single correct answer, each of us is a one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable human being. Through art, we deepen this understanding, learning to accept ourselves and build healthy personal boundaries.

Over the course of 10 to 20 weeks, participants, including program coordinators, build trusting relationships. In this environment, they can express their true selves comfortably and authentically. Being heard and accepted by others helps nurture both self-acceptance and self-worth.

( Sample Program Activities )

Photo Scavenger Hunt

After learning basic photography techniques and how to use a camera, participants go on a photo scavenger hunt based on a themed question list, such as “What does ___ mean to you?”
Examples of themes including transformation, pain, and happiness.
Speed Writing

In this exercise, participants respond to thought-provoking questions about their emotions or past experiences by writing continuously for two minutes—whatever comes to mind, without stopping.Through focused individual reflection, this activity helps deepen self-awareness.
Captions

Participants go out into the city to take photos that reflect their own emotions. They then add captions to their photos, using their creative work as a way to express their inner feelings.

( Quality Control Team )

Moe

At As iZ, we carry forward the values established by LOVE Québec in Canada—accepting yourself as you are and nurturing emotional intelligence (EQ)—while adapting the program to meet the needs of youth in Japan. As a member of the Quality Control Team, I’m committed to supporting young people as they discover the freedom of self-expression and grow in a safe and supportive environment!
Minori

At As iZ, we are building and maintaining a high-quality program that honors the principles of being your true self and providing a safe space, as emphasized by LOVE Québec. By listening to the voices of youth in Japan, we strive to create spaces where everyone feels welcome and safe, so that As iZ continues to be a trusted and comforting place that feels like home.
Ayaka

As iZ brings the knowledge and experience gained from LOVE Québec to youth in Japan, offering them a space where they can express themselves freely and feel truly safe. As a coordinator, I support young people in developing emotional intelligence and mental wellness—by creating time and space where they can be themselves, free from judgment or pressure, and connect with others.

Do I need to bring anything?

Please bring pen and notebook.

Can parents observe the program?

In principle, observation by parents is not permitted.

Can individuals apply directly?

We do not accept individual applications at this time. However, if you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

How can I apply?

Please use the contact form and be sure to include your organization’s name.

Can I join just for a trial session?

Yes, we offer one-time workshop sessions. If you are considering joining the 10- or 20-week program, we recommend starting with a single-session workshop.

What kinds of activities are included in the program?

Participants engage in self-expression through photography, creative writing, drawing, and other art forms. They also explore themes related to EQ and critical thinking through group discussions.

We are currently welcoming new members who support our mission and activities.
Feel free to reach out.