JAPAN warned on Monday that it will reconsider economic ties with Niger if democracy is not quickly restored following the assassination of president Ibrahim Mainassara Bare.A Japanese foreign ministry statement released by the embassy here expressed “profound regret” that Mainassara, who was “democratically elected, was ousted from power by assassination … Japan will reexamine its economic cooperation with Niger in light of the evolving political and social situation in the country.”Mainassara was gunned down on April 9 by members of his presidential guard, according to eyewitnesses. Former presidential guard commander Major Daouda Mallam Wanke, who has become head of state, maintains that Mainassara was killed accidentally.