The nocturnal canid from East Asia with a masked face that is related to foxes is the raccoon dog. The mainland species is commonly called the common raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides. Its dark facial markings resemble those of a raccoon, but the animal is a member of the dog family, Canidae.
Raccoon dogs are heavy-set, short-legged, and fox-like, with long torsos and relatively short tails. They are omnivores that eat small animals, eggs, insects, fruit, seeds, and other plant matter. They are mainly active at night and are unusual among canids because they can climb trees and hibernate during cold winters.
The species is native to East Asia, including parts of China, Korea, Russia, and Japan. The Japanese raccoon dog, or tanuki, is a closely related species or subspecies depending on the taxonomic authority. Folklore often gives the tanuki magical powers, but the real animal is simply an adaptable wild canid.
Another common mistake is assuming raccoon dogs are related to raccoons. Raccoons belong to a different mammalian family and are not close relatives.