Background
Kotani was born in Kyoto and spent his primary and middle school days in Osaka.
小谷 正雄
Kotani was born in Kyoto and spent his primary and middle school days in Osaka.
In 1929, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and was appointed as a lecturer at the faculty of engineering in the Imperial University of Tokyo. In 1943, he received the degree of Doctor of Science and was promoted to a full professor
He moved to Tokyo to enter the First Higher School and then the Imperial University of Tokyo. Three years later, he became an associate professor in the physics department. In 1965, he moved to Osaka University as a professor in the faculty of engineering science.
He retired from the chair in 1969.
One year later, he was elected president of the Tokyo Science University, where he served as president for three terms, a total of 12 years, and retired in 1982. He was associated with the Tokyo Science University until his death, as an expert advisor to its two institutes for general and life sciences.
This was for his joint work with Sin-Itiro Tomonaga on the theory of magnetrons and microwave circuits. In 1977, the Japanese government commended him in recognition of his cultural services.