Money Tigers was the Japanese television programme that directly inspired the British format of Dragons' Den.
The Japanese show, known as Money Tigers, established the central idea of entrepreneurs presenting business proposals to wealthy investors. The British programme adapted that structure for the BBC, replacing the original title and localising the presentation style for the UK audience.
This is distinct from the broader international franchise history. Money Tigers was the direct Japanese source, while Dragons' Den has since been adapted in numerous countries under different names. The Japanese title is therefore more specific than simply saying the format came from Japan.
The British version first aired in 2005. Its continuing appeal comes from the clear tension between a founder's valuation and the investors' assessment of risk, market demand and potential returns. The format's vocabulary—entrepreneurs, equity, offers and Dragons—became familiar to British viewers through this adaptation.