The documentary “Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness” (8:30 p.m., PBS) examines the era of the Holocaust from a completely unexpected perspective.

As a Japanese diplomat stationed in Lithuania, Chiune Sugihara saved countless lives by defying his own government and granting exit visas to Jews fleeing Nazi oppression. A warm-hearted film, “Kindness” celebrates Sugihara’s empathetic nature, curiosity and facility with languages, attributes that would make him a natural diplomat and a good spy.

Although the film concentrates on his particular efforts to save lives, “Kindness” also provides plenty of insights into Japanese culture and politics in the 1930s, when its military began to dominate the government and launched wars in China and Manchuria, beginning in 1931.

Sugihara was allied with businessmen who felt that the military’s policies were immoral and wasteful, and that Japan would be better served by a culture and society that stressed success in trade and manufacturing.

As Hitler came to power and began a policy of persecution against German Jews, some in this business clique saw a unique opportunity. “Kindness” explores the efforts of Japanese diplomats to invite Europe’s imperiled Jews to settle in Japanese-occupied areas of Manchuria. They felt that the policy would save lives, create international good feelings toward Japan, and import a well-educated and entrepreneurial population into an unsettled region. The plan, considered ghastly and exploitive, was initially rejected by many Jewish organizations. But in light of Hitler’s policy of mass extermination, it remains one of history’s more curious “what if” scenarios.

Tonight’s other highlights

• The gang decamps for Miami on a two-hour episode of “The O.C.” (7 p.m.). Linda Lavin and Jaime King guest star in the first hour.
• Reese Witherspoon stars in the 2002 comedy “Sweet Home Alabama” (8 p.m., ABC).
• Two solid hours of “Blue Collar TV” (7 p.m., WB).
• Alan Arkin guest stars as Grace’s dad on “Will & Grace” (7:30 p.m., NBC).
• Catharine’s fling could prove fatal on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).
• A brother in need on “Without a Trace” (9 p.m., CBS).
• Morris (Scott Grimes) is appointed new chief resident on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).