The British Judo Council (BJC) was formed in 1958 by Kenshiro Abbe 8th Dan who was bought to England by the London Judo Society as chief instruction in 1956.  In 1958 Abbe. Sensei founded several Judo councils including the BJC to which he appointed Masutaro Otani as chief instructor.  Abbe and Otani worked together,tireessly promoting Judo throughout the UK.  After Otani Sensei passing in 1977, the leadership was handed to his son, Robin Otani who retired as President in December 2025 after nearly 50 years service, appointing his son, Stuart, as his successor and thus continuing the Omani lineage.

The BJC promotes a traditional style of Japanese Judo with the emphasis on clean upright throwing with control and technique rather than force.  In groundwork, speed and control are emphasised in order to win quickly and decisively.  There have been many former BJC members who have made a great impact upon the world stage including Jane Bridge 8th Dan, the first women's World Champion and Neil Adams 9th Dan, Silver Olympic Medallist amongst many others.