As one of its community projects to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education, the Levi Strauss Foundation has been supporting the production of “Positive Lives Asia,” a series of photo-documentary essays featuring the stories of people affected by HIV and AIDS and positive responses to the epidemic. Positive Lives was started by and continues to be managed by the major British HIV charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust, and the international photo documentary agency, Network Photographers. JCIE served as the intermediary between the Levi Strauss Foundation, the Positive Lives Committee, and the Japanese coordinator of the exhibitions, the Japan AIDS & Society Association (JASA). JASA is an umbrella organization established in 1990 to address AIDS issues through joint efforts by researchers, doctors, NGOs, journalists, and individuals affected by HIV.

The exhibition was displayed at a total of 66 locations throughout Japan from February to December 2002, and it was viewed by an estimated 30,000 people. Various local organizations, including NGOs, local government agencies, and schools, volunteered to sponsor the exhibitions, which were held in a diverse set of venues, including community centers, schools, hospitals, and shopping centers.

After the exhibition tour, the photos were exhibited in the UN Gallery in Tokyo, Japan, on September 18–October 18, 2003. The exhibit, which featured 120 photos and four large canvas images covering 17 countries, received wide media coverage and attracted many visitors including Her Imperial Highness, Princess Takamado. JCIE collaborated in the administration of the exhibit.