The UK television series Dragons' Den originated in Japan.
The format was created by Nippon TV as Money Tigers, known in Japanese as Money no Tora. Entrepreneurs present business ideas to wealthy investors and seek funding in exchange for equity. The BBC later adapted the concept for British audiences under the title Dragons' Den.
The British version launched in 2005 and became one of the best-known international adaptations of the format. Its investors are called dragons, while equivalent investors in other countries may have different names. A common mix-up is to identify the programme as an American invention because Shark Tank is widely recognised, but Shark Tank is a separate US adaptation of the same broader format.
The concept has travelled widely, with local versions produced in countries including Canada, Australia and Ireland. The Japanese origin is therefore a useful distinction when comparing the show's international history.