On October 22, Edward Tracy, CEO of Hard Rock Asia, announced the appointment of Ado Machida as the new president of Hard Rock Japan.
According to a statement from the company, Machida joins Hard Rock Japan from Navigators Global LLC, a management consulting organization specializing in strategic government relations, crisis management and business development. In that role, he advised Japanese and U.S. manufacturers, financial services, and high-tech firms looking to expand across the Pacific.
Prior to that, Machida was director of policy implementation on the Trump transition team; served as chief domestic policy officer for former Vice President Dick Cheney; worked on the presidential campaign of Senator Bob Dole; and has also held positions with Goldman Sachs in New York and Tokyo.
“Ado is well versed in foreign affairs and has specialized in international law, finance, business development, and team building,” said Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International. “He will play a key role in leading Hard Rock Japan’s expansion efforts in developing a new luxurious Japanese integrated resort focused on offering the best overall entertainment and amenities for family and friends to experience.”
Tracy added that Machida’s “Japanese fluency, his understanding of the Japanese culture and legal knowledge” plus experience in building bilateral business partnerships will be “a key component” in the company’s campaign in Japan.
Machida studied law at Kyoto University, the New York University of Law, Columbia University and Harvard Graduate School of Business.
