Is it possible to play PS2 games from Japan on a PAL PS3?

No you cant unfortunately. Which is why I still has my softmodded PS2

Nope unfortunately.

Even though PS3 games are region free, you can't play PS2 games from another region on your PS3. Its the reason i'm not importing an 80GB PS3 from America, what would be the point? If I import it so I can play PS2 games on my PS3 (becuase we have crappy 40GB PS3s that don't have backward capabilities) but can't play my PS2 games becuase they are a different region, doesn't that kinda defeat the objective of importing an 80GB PS3 from America?