Nikkei 225 index

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average lost ground on Monday as China lowered its economic growth goal and left target inflation rate unchanged at 4%. Nikkei 225 index lost 0.8% or 78.44 points and finished at 9,698.59 with energy and technology stocks tumbling most. Sony Corp fell 3.3% and Panasonic Corp slipped 2.2%. Olympus plunged 3.2% on rumours about new executive arrests. Inpex Corp gave up 2.1% anticipating the Friday decline in oil prices. Fast Retailing added 1.4% after reporting a 1.4% increase in February sales.