What was the original Japanese television format that became Dragon's Den?

The original Japanese television format that became Dragon's Den was Money Tigers.

The format was created in Japan and first broadcast there in 2001. Entrepreneurs presented business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors, asking for funding in return for equity. The investors could question the entrepreneurs, negotiate terms or decline to invest.

The concept travelled internationally and was adapted for several territories. In the United Kingdom, the BBC launched Dragon's Den in 2005, replacing the Japanese “tigers” with “dragons” as the programme's investor identity. Other countries used different titles and local business figures while keeping the basic pitch structure.

Money Tigers is often confused with the British title because both programmes use animal imagery and a panel of powerful investors. The Japanese name, however, is the source format's specific title, not an alternate name for the BBC series.