[Restorer]

He said that no Japanese would ever ask a Caucasian directions at a Japanese airport.

Not illogical. I would assume a Caucasian was another tourist. Why would a Japanese assume differently?

[expat_panama]

"assume a Caucasian was another tourist."

That's exactly the point.  In New York, it's reasonable to assume anyone who simply looks confident would know his way around, regardless of race.  In racially pure Japan, we have to assume differently.