white race; Caucasian race
Refers to the racial category of white people. Often used in historical or anthropological contexts; in everyday conversation, more specific terms like 白人 (はくじん) are common.
In 19th-century anthropology, the white race was divided into several subcategories.
Compound of 白 (はく, 'white') + 人種 (じんしゅ, 'race').