Islamabad: Japan on October 4 expressed regret over the Pakistani test firing of a medium-range nuclear-capable missile, saying it would only contribute to an intensifying arms race between India and Pakistan.

"The government of Japan expresses its regret that Pakistan's missile launch test not only would intensify the missile development race in South Asia, but would also worsen the tension that has continued between India and Pakistan," a statement said.

"Japan strongly calls on Pakistan to seriously respond to the voice of the international community that earnestly hopes for the reduction of tension between India and Pakistan," the statement received by AFP in Islamabad said.

Pakistan earlier on October 4 tested its Hatf-IV or Shaheen surface-to-air missile, which with a range of up to 800 kilometers (500 miles) can carry deep into Indian territory.

Government officials qualified the test as a technical matter, and denied it was linked to rising tension between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir, where a wave of killings India blames on Pakistan-based militants has overshadowed elections under way since mid-September.

Japan's statement came ahead of India's successful test later on October 4 of an Akash surface-to-air missile, an apparent tit-for-tat response.

Meanwhile, in Stockholm, Sweden said it regretted that Pakistan had carried out the test firing of a ballistic missile, adding that the initiative could have "negative consequences for security" in the region.

The statement, issued before it was known that India had carried out a test firing shortly afterwards -- described by New Delhi as "routine" -- said the Pakistani test "risks causing an arms race in the region".

"I deeply regret that Pakistan carried out a new ballistic missile test," Foreign Minister Anna Lindh said in the statement.

She again called on both India and Pakistan to apply all UN Security Council resolutions relative to their conflict, and to renew diplomatic contacts.

The Pakistani test, of a missile that would be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead deep into Indian territory, came less than a week before general elections and in the midst of renewed tensions with India.