The most prominent political positions that Machida has held are Chief Domestic Policy Officer for US Vice-President Dick Cheney and Director of Policy Implementation for the Donald Trump presidential transition team. When not in government he has been a lobbyist for the defense industry and other US business groups.
The appointment of Machida to head the Hard Rock IR campaign is quite reminiscent of MGM Resort’s appointment of former US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Jason Hyland, as its own Japan president, as well as to Caesars Entertainment’s employment of figures such as former US Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, and former US Assistant Secretary of Defense Richard Armitage.
These IR operators appear to believe that the employment of US-Japan Alliance heavyweights is a key to success in winning an IR license.
Edward Tracy, who remains in place as Hard Rock’s CEO for Asia, comments: “With Machida’s Japanese fluency, his understanding of the Japanese culture and legal knowledge, along with his passion and experience in building bilateral business partnerships that focus on sustainable success, Ado has the leadership skill set that brings a key component to our team.”
Source: GMB / AG Brief
