The Japanese title of the original format adapted as British Dragons' Den was Money Tigers. The Japanese programme created the core setup in which entrepreneurs seek funding by presenting businesses to wealthy investors.
Money Tigers was developed for Japanese television before the concept was licensed internationally. Different countries changed the name, investor panel and production details, but retained the central negotiation: entrepreneurs offer a percentage of their company in return for capital and expertise.
The British title references “dragons” as powerful, intimidating investors, while the Japanese title uses “money tigers” for a similar image of financial strength. Knowing the original title helps distinguish the format’s source from later local versions, including the American series Shark Tank, which uses a different animal metaphor.