A note from the Kumamoto International Tragedy of the Commons Desk (we don’t leave our food in the shared fridge):
Turns out that this phrase is pronounced 共有地の悲劇 (kyouyuuchi no higeki). It refers to situations where, when none has responsibility over an area, the area is abused. This is why there are no garbage cans in parks here but plenty at convenience stores.
A more amusing example is a few steps from my door. After the quakes, two adjacent buildings were demolished to be replaced by a parking lot and a new house, respectively. However, a small portion of block wall which belonged to the latter intruded into the former - and also may be construed to exude on the public road - so they just left it. This hilarious remnant of wall makes me laugh as I pass by it daily. Perhaps it will outlast me. - William