1. The shrine is seen as a symbol of Japan's past militarism by its Asian neighbors including China and South Korea.
2. The 16 other current Cabinet members have decided against visiting the shrine.
3. Analysts say the move will embarrass Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who has banned cabinet members from visiting the shrine.
4. Noda said when he took office last year that no cabinet members would visit the shrine.
5. A protester holding a placard shouts slogans during a candlelight march in Tokyo August 11, 2006 demanding Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.
6. Abe has remained vague about whether he would pay homage to the shrine in an official capacity now he is prime minister.
7. Chafer said his company is discussing an arrangement with Beijing Great Wall Chinese Shrine, a funeral home and columbarium in the Chinese capital.
8. Most mainstream Japanese media have criticised Koizumi's annual visits to the shrine, which have markedly chilled ties with China and South Korea.
9. The Shrine
9. Ties with China chilled during former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi's term in office, in part due to his repeated visits to the shrine.
10. There was no independent confirmation of damage to the shrine, but violence earlier Monday ripped a chunk out of the outer wall of the compound.