He's asian, his anime drawn skin is not exactly white. Unless his pigments changed to that beige/tan-pinkish colour from years of training and gaining muscles. :P

His eyes don't exactly scream out "Caucasian".

So he's asian, case closed. :P

I'm quite sure Japanese language has gone through some changes since 20 years ago. Less slang back then. :P

A lot of Japanese courses tend to teach Japanese with slang now... which I think pollutes the minds of those to try to learn the language. Best advice, find a 60 y.o teacher who's Japanese and get lessons. :P