Money Tigers is the Japanese business-investment show that inspired the British television programme Dragons' Den.
Money Tigers, known in Japan as Money no Tora, provided the format in which entrepreneurs pitch businesses to wealthy investors. The BBC adapted that concept for the United Kingdom, launching Dragons' Den in 2005.
The title changed to suit the British version: the investors became “dragons,” reflecting the intimidating image of powerful financiers scrutinising a pitch. The central structure remained similar, with entrepreneurs seeking money in exchange for equity in their companies.
Dragons' Den later became part of a worldwide format family. The US adaptation is called Shark Tank, but Shark Tank is not the Japanese original. That distinction explains why the two programmes resemble each other while having different titles and panel traditions.