No. Lions are not indigenous to Japan.
Historically, the Japanese have referred to Japan as "Nippon", but it is now more commonly referred to as "Nihon" by the Japanese. Japan is also known as "The Land of the Rising Sun", which is the symbolism of the Japanese flag.
The symbolism of the Japanese Emperor as an individual with God-like parameters and proportions was altered by the very presence of Douglas MacArthur who became Japam's new Shogun.
Between the Lions - 1999 Be Bop 1-30 was released on: USA: 12 May 2000 Japan: 28 March 2002
Between the Lions - 1999 The Hopping Hen - 1.6 was released on: USA: 9 April 2000 Japan: 23 July 2002
The Tagalog word for symbolism is "simbolismo."
Between the Lions - 1999 The Lost Rock 1-2 was released on: USA: 4 April 2000 Japan: 4 May 2002
Between the Lions - 1999 The Hopping Hen 1-6 was released on: USA: 9 April 2000 Japan: 23 July 2002
Between the Lions - 1999 Lionel's Antlers 1-10 was released on: USA: 14 April 2000 Japan: 29 July 2002
Between the Lions - 1999 The Lucky Duck 1-23 was released on: USA: 3 May 2000 Japan: 29 April 2002
Between the Lions - 1999 Giants and Cubs 1-29 was released on: USA: 11 May 2000 Japan: 27 March 2002
Between the Lions - 1999 A Peck of Peppers 1-20 was released on: USA: 28 April 2000 Japan: 1 January 2003