Asian starts off in response, answering questions instantly (5)
I believe the answer is:
iraqi
'asian' is the definition.
(I know that Iraqi is a type of asian)
'starts off in response answering questions instantly' is the wordplay.
'starts off' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'in response answering questions instantly' is 'IRAQI'.
(Other definitions for iraqi that I've seen before include "Probably a Muslim" , "Resident of Baghdad, say" , "from war-torn nation" , "foreigner" , "Native of Fallujah, perhaps" .)