Nikkei falls 1.6 pct, shipping firms falter

TOKYO, July 6 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 1.6 percent on Monday, with shipping firms such as Nippon Yusen (9101.T: Quote, Profile, Research) retreating after a key gauge of freight costs dropped late last week on softer demand for goods. The Nikkei fell .N225 154.80 points to 9,661.27.

The broader Topix .TOPX lost 1.0 percent to 911.10. (Reporting by Masayuki Kitano)