Money Tigers was the original Japanese business reality show that inspired the British Dragons' Den format.
The Japanese programme, known as Money Tigers, was created by Nippon Television and first broadcast in 2001. Entrepreneurs presented business ideas to wealthy investors and sought funding, equity arrangements or other support. That basic pitch-and-investment structure became the foundation for international adaptations.
The British version premiered in 2005 and kept the central idea while changing the investors, presenter, language and business setting for a UK audience. The format spread widely, with local versions appearing under names such as Dragons' Den and Shark Tank.
Shark Tank is therefore a related international adaptation rather than the original Japanese source. The Apprentice is a different competition format centred on employment and business tasks. “Dragon's Den Japan” is not the canonical title of the programme that originated the format; Money Tigers is the specific answer.