[1] He was one of the highest-ranked judoka, and was awarded a 10th dan in April 1984 by the Kodokan.

He was for a long time the oldest 10th dan until Ichiro Abe was awarded the rank age of 83 years.

Kotani was very active in promoting judo throughout the world and was the director of the international division at the Kodokan for many years.

He was the Kodokan's top representative and vice president of the All Japan Judo Federation.

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