Final answer:
The Heian period in Japan was marked by issues of low agricultural productivity and complex struggles around landholdings, which hindered economic growth and caused social and political conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Heian period, the distribution of land in Japan caused significant problems related to economic development and the social structure. One of the main issues was the low productivity of agriculture, which was the economy's mainstay. Low productivity was due in part to disease, poor nutrition, and a relative shortage of labor, making it challenging to bring new lands under cultivation and causing economic growth to be limited.
Another issue was the complex struggles around landholdings, for example, the allocation of land rights, taxes and tax exemptions, which led to social and political conflicts. These issues were exacerbated by the divided property arrangements and the precarious balance between central power and regional autonomy. The system allowed some maneuverability for farmers but generally limited overall economic and political stability.