The suspected fading (cf. vsnet-alert 884, http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-alert/msg00884.html) of the R CrB-type variable star Z UMi seems to be in progress toward a major fading episode. Observations: YYMMDD(UT) mag code 970505.194 116 HSG 970506.171 117 HSG 970507.005 116 POY 970507.381 121 HSG 970508.176 120 HSG 970509.040 119 POY 970509.415 121 HSG 970510.092 117 BMM 970510.183 121 HSG 970511.053 122 POY 970511.994 118 POY 970512.044 118 BMM 970512.944 117 POY 970512.997 117 BMU 970513.023 119 BMM 970513.125 119 MRV 970513.398 122 HSG 970513.953 117 POY 970514.381 120 HSG 970514.988 117 POY 970515.006 118 BMM 970517.389 126 HSG 970518.428 124 HSG Regards, Taichi Kato