i do not know, but after working in Human Resources for years, i do not use it... anyway, Oriental is less specific than Asian... Orient, Asia...
The Orient means the East. It is a traditional designation for anything that belongs to the Eastern world or the Middle East (aka Near East) or the Far East, in relation to Europe. In English, it is largely a metonym for, and coterminous with, the Continent of Asia.
If you live between the Bosphorus and the Bering Strait, you’re an Asian.
Well, if you should mention Asian to a Brit, he's likely to think you're refering to a muslim........
“Oriental is less specific than Asian”
Its exactly the opposite. Oriental indicates the far east culture of Asia such as Chinese, Japanese, etc.
Asian includes Iran, Pakistan, Indians, people in Russia up near the Ural mountains, etc.
You say “Asian” I have no idea whom you are describing. A bearded Pakistani Moslem, a Taliban guy from the hills, or someone from Peking or Tokyo. It often makes a big difference in understanding what we are talking about.
You say “Oriental”, and it is far more specific.