As a widening income gap has pushed up welfare rolls in recent years, struggling cities like Kitakyushu have been un-der intense pressure to tighten eligi-bility.

• 近年来，由于所得差距日益拉大，使社福救济金的名单愈来愈长。财政困窘的城市像北九州更是面临沈重的压力，必须紧缩申领资格。