The post series of "Japan is not so ez", Norway looks pretty perfect for the country below 25th place to start. It could even compete with Philippines (which could be the better Japan themselves). So, starting as a subject, you don't need to bother how to invade Indonesian free pieces with a single ship and 5 soldiers ASAP before Dutch.
Anyway, I started with Finland and it was fine (45 place, but better than Greece or Cuba, almost as hard as Joseon). Everything was fine until I found Russia has 2 strong allies I couldn't beat with my 2. And I started Norway. There I found their laws are already well polished and more important, science is perfect. Not only extra tech, but also Sweden supports with +20% boost (and sometimes provides legitimacy). So, no sweat, 2 companies available in a couple of years, railroad next and way to go. Easily bought Iceland (and Denmark even don't want it back). With 1.9.6 it's hard to buy anything from England, so colonizing Africa is fine. in 5-10 years got separate market, preparing for independence, but surprisingly have friendship with my overlord and they granted protectorate. So, I can do anything right now, no obligations and they still boosting my science, I have something like 45-145 on regular tech with 1 university. The only problem is potential Swedish investors. This time no companies landed on my land because I have short of pops. Then this moment I got 0 peasants, France became a donor of mass migration. So, don't see any problem here.
Anyway, I started with Finland and it was fine (45 place, but better than Greece or Cuba, almost as hard as Joseon). Everything was fine until I found Russia has 2 strong allies I couldn't beat with my 2. And I started Norway. There I found their laws are already well polished and more important, science is perfect. Not only extra tech, but also Sweden supports with +20% boost (and sometimes provides legitimacy). So, no sweat, 2 companies available in a couple of years, railroad next and way to go. Easily bought Iceland (and Denmark even don't want it back). With 1.9.6 it's hard to buy anything from England, so colonizing Africa is fine. in 5-10 years got separate market, preparing for independence, but surprisingly have friendship with my overlord and they granted protectorate. So, I can do anything right now, no obligations and they still boosting my science, I have something like 45-145 on regular tech with 1 university. The only problem is potential Swedish investors. This time no companies landed on my land because I have short of pops. Then this moment I got 0 peasants, France became a donor of mass migration. So, don't see any problem here.