Kanjo's co-trainer, Naoto Tsuda, 40, said their basic training for locals should help them in case there is another tsunami. People are taught to simply float. Learning to swim takes longer.
Kanjo says language has not been a barrier. "Most of the teaching is through demonstration and gestures," he said. "It has been easy to communicate. Sri Lankans pick up very fast."
Fisherman Shantha Basnayake, 41, said he had saved about 25 people from drowning along Wattala and Negombo, but believes he could have done more if he had the Japanese training before.
He and fellow lifesaver, Ruban Bosco, 22, saved two girls and two boys from drowning last month.
"While playing cricket on the beach, we saw them getting dragged out and the boys were not able to help the girls," Basnayake said. "They were lucky we happened to be there."
Another couple who were boating were not so lucky. After their inflatable dingy capsized, only the body of the woman was found. A Sri Lankan navy sailor who went to their rescue also drowned.
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