The original Japanese title of the format adapted as the British television series Dragons' Den was Money Tigers.
Money Tigers was created in Japan as a business-pitch programme in which entrepreneurs sought investment from successful businesspeople. The format was later adapted for broadcasters in several countries, with the British version becoming known as Dragons' Den.
The title reflects the use of animal imagery for the investors. Japan's “tigers” became Britain's “dragons,” while the central structure remained recognisable: entrepreneurs present a proposal, investors question the figures and a deal may be negotiated.
The programme is sometimes incorrectly described as having originated in the United States because Shark Tank is widely known internationally. Shark Tank is an American adaptation of the same format lineage, not the original source. The Japanese origin is why different countries use distinct animal names and titles.