Japan created the television format adapted as the British programme Dragon's Den.
The original Japanese programme was called Money Tigers, or Money no Tora. It established the central structure later used by Dragon's Den: entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors, who decide whether the opportunity merits funding and on what terms.
The British version began in 2005 and adapted that format for a UK audience. Its investors became known as Dragons, while other countries used different titles and local terminology. The American version, Shark Tank, is another adaptation of the same broad international concept.
The Japanese origin is sometimes overlooked because the British and American versions became especially prominent in English-speaking countries. The format’s basic appeal is consistent across editions: a public pitch combines business numbers, personal storytelling, negotiation, and the possibility of an investment offer.