Which Japanese TV programme provided the format for Britain's Dragon's Den?

Japan's Money Tigers provided the format for Britain's Dragon's Den.

Money Tigers was a Japanese television programme in which aspiring entrepreneurs presented business proposals to wealthy investors. The investors considered whether to provide funding, usually in return for an ownership stake. This pitch-and-negotiation structure became the foundation for several later adaptations around the world.

The British version retained the central idea but gave it a distinctly UK identity. Its investors became known as Dragons, and the programme developed its own panel changes, memorable negotiations and follow-up stories about successful businesses. The title also reflects the intimidating image of facing several powerful investors at once.

Shark Tank is often confused with Dragon's Den because both shows use entrepreneur pitches and investor negotiations. However, Shark Tank is the US adaptation associated with ABC, while Dragon's Den is the British title and Money Tigers is the Japanese programme that originated the format. The separate Canadian edition is another international adaptation.