Otaka studied composition, theory, and French horn, at the Toho Gakuen School of Music.
[2] In September 2009, Otaka was appointed principal guest conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), effective as of 2010.
[3] After the sudden departure of MSO's chief conductor Oleg Caetani in October 2009, Otaka's role was accelerated for him to assume the post in late 2009.
[4] In May 2017, Otaka was appointed Artistic Advisor of the Sapporo Community Plaza.
Otaka is currently Music Director of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra from April 2018.