France's youth unemployment tops 20% as riots expose deep inequality

France is experiencing its worst riots in recent years, with youth unemployment exceeding 20 percent, as experts link the violence to frustration among young people facing an unstable future and severe economic hardship. Sociologist Yasuyuki Yamashita of Kobe University stated that the masked group "Black Bloc," responsible for destruction and looting, lacks clear political aims, with most participants being young people venting violent impulses due to uncertain prospects. He noted that even university graduates commonly struggle to find work, and the demonstrations began with high school students blocking schools to protest government budget cuts, joined by public workers opposing austerity measures. France faces soaring fuel prices, widening inequality, and deteriorating education conditions, which Yamashita says are similar to Japan's challenges but more severe. He noted France's history of protests leading to government concessions, unlike Japan, and warned that riots may spread to neighboring countries, with no clear end in sight ahead of upcoming presidential elections.