In this author's case, I agree that the intent doesn't appear to have been malicious. But calling it just "an outdated synonym of Asia" is like saying Negro is

In this author's case, I agree that the intent doesn't appear to have been malicious. But calling it just "an outdated synonym of Asia" is like saying Negro is just an outdated synonym for Black (after all, negro is just Spanish for black). In both cases, it ignores heavy historical and cultural implications that come with the words.