I had a late arrival at Haneda and dashed through immigration because I was worried about catching the last train. I didn't notice that the immigration agent did not give me the small piece of the entry document that is torn off, kept in the passport, and returned when leaving the country. When I realized that I didn't have it, I figured that I was going to have the opportunity to learn what happens when someone loses that paper.

However, someone told me that there is a new entry document for Japan, and that the new form does not have the piece that gets torn off and kept in the passport. I used the old form when I arrived, and I can't find mention of a new immigration document in the forum here.

Does anyone have any information on this? Will I have problems on departure because I don't have the paper in my passport? Thanks!

This is the official notice I was able to find:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/re-ed/EDcard_leaf_en.pdf

Basically that piece of paper (embarkation card) is no longer required nor present in the new form (unless you are a alien resident of Japan, which then you still need that piece of paper, but that's a different form), so that's why the immigration officer didn't staple it to your passport.

I guess with everything electronically stored, there is not need as once they swipe your passport they can retrieve all your entry records, except the part where you answer the questions (for legal reason) that are not part of your passport.

That also reminds me that I should just throw away the spare immigration forms I had taken get new spares when I go on my next Japan trip. I like to pre-fill my stuff, don't judge me :P

FWIW, I have never seen this new format embarkation/reembarkation card since they were introduced. I assume they must have quite a few of the previous cards that are still valid for travel.

I had the new form given out by ANA last month when arriving at NRT. I noticed the same thing. As I suspected, when I left Japan, nothing was said about a lack of the Embarkation portion of the form.

I suppose they moved the questions to the front because they were catching too many people leaving the back blank while standing in line.

Same here. Just threw out 3-4 of the old forms after seeing this thread.
(And, I judge you, despite your onegai: I like your style.)

Same here yesterday. Big improvement. No need for passport number, gender, occupation, no more embarkation card, and no question about amount of cash you're carrying, nothing stapled into your passport anymore.

So I went through exit formalities at NRT an hour ago, and all went well. Even though I entered with the old document, nothing was said about my lack of the embarkation card. Now I need to pick up a couple of new forms when I see them, since I also like to have a spare or two. Thanks for the responses to my question.

The new entry form has been printed and being distributed. However, this does not mean old forma are invalid, as some have already experienced that officers at a passport control have no problem accepting old forms. Airlines are being told to hand out old forms till ran out of the stock then switch to new form. If you happen to have few old forms in your hand then there is no reason to get rid of old forms, you can still use them.

Sure, from ten years from now if you walk up to a passport control with an old form you may be asked to fill the new form, but at this moment you can still use an old form.