Possible for a japanese/caucasian to get

I am japanese/caucasian, and have more of a caucasian hair type. I hate my hair, it is somewhat straight but lays flat on the top and is curly on the sides and back, really annoying. I can't seem to do anything good with my hair but comb it back or shave it really short.

Is it possible to get the standard coarse, naturally spikey on the sides and top "asian" style hair, through chemicals, techniques, what-have-you?

Also, if possible, would it be wise to start with really short hair and just treat it as it grows out?

yeah you could try relaxers for your hair.
you could also try patience. try to keep it long, like 5 inches or more, you will se a different side to your hair.

if you see my pic, i have straight hair.
but i dont.
I had my hair straighten with chemical relaxers. Theoroectically you can have that japanese guy hair style but you would have to work 3 times as harder than him because he has naturally stiff spiky hair that is perfect for this style.
You can either try to have your hair rebonded to have it straighter. then blow your hair upside down to have it spiked up after you apply loads of mega hold gel or wax, a dash of hairspray after that will hold it better.
or you could use a flat iron and straigten your hair and then repeat the process above.
even though i had curly hair, i managed to have spikes with my chemically straighten hair.
its takes a lot of work and determination but you will see success. but i have to warn you that you wont get it as perfect as the real thing