Stony Road is playable as Italy, as long as you don't mind it being very a-historical.
In a recent game, as Italy, by June 1938 owned Albania, Ethiopia, Persia, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Baltic Countries, and about 90% or Germany... Germany got mad at me when I attacked Poland (who I made a Puppet). Had access through Czech. You don't help Germany, you replace them?
Romania, Bulgaria and Greece next on the hit parade.
Just attack all those poor Facist countries, so the Allies don't get upset.
Playing Japan is boring, you just wait for the elections, and then start the long slow march across China?