According to the president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, the Japanese automobile industry faces a “life-or-death battle” (Akio Toyoda 2018). The ongoing “CASE” (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) revolution of automotive mobility requires an all-out transformation of car designs, production and technologies, as well as partnerships and services. Compared to their global peers, necessary changes in the industry seem to be especially challenging in Japan.