Although he passed his examinations, he had frequent health problems in Tokyo, including bouts of beri-beri and was forced to return to Akita.

In 1883, he was invited to become an editor for the Akita Sakegake Newspaper, where he specialized in political topics and became acquainted with noted politician Inukai Tsuyoshi.

On the recommendation of Kaneko Kentaro, Machida obtained a post at the Cabinet Legislation Bureau for a year, before leaving to become a reporter for the Choya Shimbun.

In January 1898, Machida was requested by Bank of Japan chairman Iwasaki Yanosuke to go to Osaka as an auditor to investigate irregularities and managerial disputes.

He joined the 2nd Okuma cabinet as parliamentary undersecretary for Agriculture and Commerce, where he set official government-determined wholesale price of rice.

He refused an offer to join the Privy Council and elevation to the kazoku peerage as a baron, preferring to remain a commoner.

During World War II, he joined the Taisei Yokusankai despite his previous outspoken objections to a one-party state, and the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Association in 1942.

After World War II, Machida briefly became the first president of the Japan Progressive Party in November 1945,[6] but was purged in January 1946 by the American occupation authorities.